CHERRIES star Nathan Ake is hoping to be handed an opportunity to pit himself against World Cup stars Olivier Giroud and N'Golo Kanté – for the second time in eight days.

Ake, who faced the duo in Cherries’ 2-0 defeat at Chelsea, is in the Netherlands squad for their Nations League opener against France in Paris on Sunday.

The Stade de France showdown is Le Bleus’ first home international since they were crowned world champions following their 4-2 win over Croatia in Russia in July.

Ake, an unused sub in the Netherlands’ 2-1 win over Peru in a friendly last night, told the Daily Echo: “It is a very important game and, hopefully, I will get some minutes. Being their first home game since the World Cup, it will be a great atmosphere.

“Giroud is a very difficult player to play against and Kante is a top midfielder. France have a very good squad and it will be a tough game for us.”

Cherries striker Joshua King will be hoping to help Norway maintain their unbeaten start in the Nations League when they visit Bulgaria on Sunday.

King started as Norway got their campaign off to a winning start with a 2-0 victory over Cyprus in Oslo last night, while Lewis Cook helped England draw 0-0 with the Netherlands in a European Under-21 Championship qualifier at Carrow Road.