POPULAR Cherries defender Eddie Howe says reputations will count for nothing as the battle for first-team places begins to gather momentum.

Cherries' 15th highest league appearance-maker knows he has a fight on his hands for a starting berth as he prepares to enter his 10th season with the club.

The 28-year-old is likely to face stiff competition for a central defensive role from Josh Gowling, Shaun Cooper, Neil Young, Karl Broadhurst and Shaun Maher.

Howe, who rejoined Cherries from Portsmouth two years ago, told the Daily Echo: "It's going to be difficult this season but it's the same every year.

"We've got a lot of defensive options, as we did during the latter part of last season. You've got to fight for your place and show the manager during pre-season that you're ready and you want to play.

"You've got to prove yourself all over again and it happens like that every year. It's been the same every year of my career and it's the same for all the other lads in all the other positions.

"Nobody can just turn up and expect to play. Everybody must earn the right to play and fight for the shirt. It's a good sign when you've got people fighting for places because it produces better performances.

"Of course it helps if you've got a settled back line because you get to know each other's games. But saying that, if somebody isn't doing the business then someone else will come in."

Howe was restricted to just 21 appearances last season, with a nagging knee problem in August followed by a minor Achilles injury at the end of the campaign.

He added: "My hopes for pre-season are to get through injury free and to do as well as I can. Pre-season is all about fitness and getting yourself 100 per cent ready for the start.

"I didn't play as many games as I would have liked last season and, to be honest, it was a bit of a nightmare. I kept picking up knocks and didn't really have a proper run in the side which every player needs to produce their best form so that's what I'm looking to do this season.

"My aims are the same every year. I want to have a good season, play as many games as I can and hopefully do well and to help the team do well, which is the most important thing.

"We want to finish as high as we can and that means promotion so that's what we're aiming for. There's no point in thinking we want to finish mid-table because we want to be successful, both as a team and individually."