EDDIE Howe insisted Premier League places could be up for grabs when Cherries meet Birmingham in the Carabao Cup tomorrow.
Howe's side were knocked out by Preston in the third round last season following a disappointing showing against the Championship outfit.
Having suffered an early exit in just their second tie last term, the Cherries boss is looking for his squad to go further in the domestic cup this time round.
He told the Daily Echo: “We have always viewed this competition as a chance to see some different players and to see how the younger players are developing.
“At this stage of the season, to give them a game is key but also with the view to winning the game.
“We don’t want to go out of the competition. I have made that very clear in previous years.
“The ideal thing is that the young players, or whichever players you bring into the game come in and leave an impression that then forces them closer to the Premier League team.”
Ahead of the tie, Carl Jenkinson and Cohen Bramall have joined Birmingham from Arsenal on season-long loan deals.
They are both eligible to feature for the Blues in cup competitions.
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