MANAGER Eddie Howe is anticipating “another extremely tough test” for Cherries at the hands of Rotherham United in the FA Cup.

Cherries were paired against the Millers in tonight’s third round draw and will head to South Yorkshire on Saturday, January 3.

It will be the Dorset club’s first visit to the New York Stadium, which was opened in July 2012, and the first time the teams will have met in any major cup competition.

The tie, which will see the clubs duel for £67,500 in prize money, comes a fortnight before Cherries travel to Rotherham in the Championship on Saturday, January 17.

Rotherham, who are managed by Steve Evans, drew 1-1 at Dean Court in September thanks to Jordan Bowery’s injury-time equaliser.

Howe, appointed as permanent Cherries boss following a 1-0 defeat at Rotherham in January 2009, told the Daily Echo: “I knew Rotherham would prove a tough nut to crack when they came here in September and so it proved.

“As you would have expected from any team managed by Steve Evans, they never gave up and got their rewards in the end, much to our disappointment.

“They provided stern opposition and it will be another extremely tough test when we go there next month.

“Hopefully, we can maintain our excellent run of form over the next few weeks and head to Rotherham on the back of a good festive period.”

Cherries exited at the hands of Liverpool in the fourth round last season, while Rotherham, then in League One, lost 2-1 at home to Rochdale in the second round.

The Millers clinched promotion following a dramatic penalty shootout victory over Leyton Orient in the League One play-off final in May.