EDDIE Howe is anticipating a stern test of Cherries’ Premier League credentials when they step up their pre-season campaign against illustrious European opposition.

Cherries host Spanish giants Valencia at Vitality Stadium tomorrow (3pm) before entertaining Italian big guns Napoli on Sunday, August 6 (7.30pm).

Howe, who today takes Cherries to QPR in a benefit match for Stan Bowles, will also send a team to League Two outfit Yeovil Town on Tuesday (7.45pm).

Despite finishing a disappointing 12th in La Liga last season, Valencia are one of the most successful clubs in Spain, having reached seven major European finals, winning four.

Napoli were third behind champions Juventus and runners-up Roma in Serie A and are in a play-off to feature in the group stages of the Champions League.

Cherries kicked off their warm-up campaign with a 2-1 win over Portuguese club Estoril earlier this month before beating Portsmouth by the same scoreline at Fratton Park seven days ago.

They hosted Valencia 12 months ago when Benik Afobe’s goal cancelled out Enzo Perez’s opener in a 1-1 draw in front of a crowd of more than 8,000.

Howe told the Daily Echo: “We are going to mix things up in the games and are going to use everyone who is fully fit so it should be good.

“Valencia will be a tough game and we really enjoyed playing them last season. It was a really good test for us.

“I felt we did pretty well in the game but you could see their quality and I expect the same again.

“Napoli will be another new experience and is another game we are looking forward to.

“For us now, and with the league we are playing in, we need these types of challenges during pre-season where we are facing quality opposition.”

More than 6,000 tickets have been sold in advance for the visit of Valencia and supporters can also pay on the day. Cherries are urging fans – with and without tickets – to arrive early to avoid congestion at the turnstiles and ticket office.