MANAGER Eddie Howe is calling for a repeat performance as Cherries bid to combat the attacking threat of Championship high-fliers Leicester City on Saturday.

Howe, who expressed his delight at his team’s defensive showing at Nottingham Forest, said more of the same would be required at the King Power Stadium (3pm).

Cherries dug deep following the early loss to injury of goalkeeper Stephen Henderson at the City Ground, with Marc Pugh’s late equaliser cancelling out Henri Lansbury’s wonder goal.

The Foxes, beaten by Watford in the Championship play-off semi-finals in May, have relied on similar personnel this season and boast an unbeaten home record.

Howe told the Daily Echo: “In many respects, it will be a similar test. We are playing a really good side away from home in front of a big crowd and in an excellent stadium.

“It will be a slightly different test in terms of the game itself because I think Leicester will play a slightly different way.

“We have had them watched a number of times and I have watched them myself. They are a good side so it will be another really good test for us. Leicester have started the season very well and the manager and players have been together for a while. That consistency has certainly helped them and they have attacked this season very well.

“Their home record is excellent and they are a team full of confidence. We are also full of confidence so it is all set up to be a really good, entertaining game.

“Defensively, we had a tough examination against Forest and I thought we came through really well. We defended certain aspects of the game very well and are going to have to match, and even better, those levels against Leicester because of how they play.

“If we can get our creative front and midfield players in the game, I think we will have a chance.”

Foxes boss Nigel Pearson, who looks set to name an unchanged starting line-up following their 2-1 win over Huddersfield, says his players must ensure they are “not surprised” by Cherries.

Asked whether he felt Cherries had benefited from the surprise factor this season, Howe replied: “Maybe to a certain degree. It was always going to be one of our strengths in terms of not every manager would be fully aware of our players and our strengths and weaknesses.

“But I think that goes quickly in the Championship because modern technology and media means people can watch you as much as they like so I would be surprised if it was a huge factor.”

Ryan Allsop looks set to replace Henderson after coming off the bench at Forest, while Charlie Daniels could start having enjoyed a week’s training. But Ryan Fraser remains a doubt due to his ongoing hamstring injury.

Cherries: (from) Allsop, Francis, Cook, Ward, Harte, Surman, Arter, Collison, Pugh, Rantie, Grabban, O’Kane, Elphick, Pitman, Thomas, Daniels, MacDonald, Hughes, Fraser, Jalal.

Foxes: (from) Schmeichel, Wasilewski, Konchesky, Drinkwater, Morgan, Moore, Knockaert, King, Vardy, Nugent, Dyer, James, Hammond, Schlupp, Taylor-Fletcher, Miquel, Wood, Logan.