CHERRIES will take on an Italian side with a huge European pedigree in the form of Napoli tomorrow (7.30pm).

The Serie A outfit, twice champions of their domestic league and five-time Coppa Italia winners, will pose a huge test for Eddie Howe’s men with a playing style which should complement the Dorset club at the Vitality Stadium.

The Azzurri outfit were set to stay and train in Germany on Thursday following their fixtures in the Audi Cup before travelling to England a day later.

In their latest fixture, a 2-0 friendly win over Bayern Munich, Maurizio Sarri’s side found the net through defender Kalidou Koulibaly and midfielder Emanuele Giaccherini, the latter having spent time in the Premier League with Sunderland.

Another notable figure who had featured in England is former Liverpool goalkeeper Pepe Reina, the Spaniard initially joined Napoli on loan from Anfield before eventually arriving permanently at Stadio San Paolo in 2015 after a spell with Bayern Munich.

A previous home of Argentinian legend Diego Maradona, the Italian club are currently led on the field by talismanic attacking midfielder, captain Marek Hamsik.

The 30-year-old Slovakian star has been with the club since 2007.

Belgian Dries Mertens was the club’s top scorer last term, the former PSV and Utrecht man netted 28 times in league action, only one goal behind Roma’s Edin Dzeko.

Napoli’s first league encounter comes with an away clash against Verona on Saturday, August 19 and they have drawn Nice in a Champions League play-off.