RETURNING striker Lee Bradbury has predicted Cherries can be a "force to be reckoned with" in League One - once they improve their form on home turf.

The former Portsmouth and Manchester City target man is hoping the team's performances at Dean Court can take a turn for the better, starting with tonight's FA Cup first round replay against Barrow.

Cherries go into the game on the back of a much-improved showing in Sunday's 1-1 draw at Hartlepool United, while the visitors arrive in excellent spirits, having recorded a 4-0 home victory over AFC Telford at the weekend.

But Bradbury, who is likely to go straight into the starting line-up on his return from a three-match suspension, expects a tough game against the Blue Square North outfit.

"I haven't seen Barrow play but the lads said they're direct and strong," Bradbury told the Daily Echo.

"But we should beat them at home, score a few and get a bit of confidence at home.

"It would be nice to get another win at home, then break our league duck at Dean Court on Saturday.

"It's their cup final. They want to kick you and put them-selves about, but hopefully our football should be able to pass them off the park and get a few goals."

Bradbury, the subject of a £3million transfer to Manchester City 10 years ago, is no stranger to success in the world's most famous domestic cup competition, with six goals from 15 appearances.

He enjoyed a run to the quarter-finals with Portsmouth in 1997, scoring in the 3-2 victory at Leeds United to book a last-eight match against Chelsea.

"We lost 4-1 but it was a good experience and it was nice to get that far.

"It gives the club a lift and we could do with a good run now to help us out," said the 32-year-old.

Bradbury revealed he is "not a good watcher" after having to view Cherries' televised clash in the North East on Sunday from his armchair.

He said: "The lads got a good result, but now I can get back in the team hopefully.

"It's a hard place to go all the way up there and it's a good point.

"We could've had more but were fortunate with the handball they didn't give. In the end it was a well-deserved point."

Bradbury revealed he is "enjoying" his time at the Dorset club and he believes manager Kevin Bond is doing a "good job" with limited resources.

He added: "It's been hard for the manager, he's got his hands tied a bit with who he can bring in.

"But he's done well to bring in the lads from Reading. And you saw with James Henry at Hartlepool getting us a point that he's done a good job."