JACK Stacey is aware of a potential “psychological battle” in Cherries’ upcoming games, as the Dorset club host Everton in a double header.

Frank Lampard’s Toffees visit the Vitality Stadium tomorrow evening (kick-off 7.45pm) for the third round of the Carabao Cup, before Cherries face the same opponents on Saturday in their final fixture before the break for the World Cup.

Defeat for Everton at the hands of Leicester City last weekend has seen the Toffees slip to 16th in the Premier League table, two points off the relegation zone.

With Cherries placed just a point and a place behind Everton in the final safe spot of 17th, the league fixture somewhat overshadows the preceding League Cup tie.

Although both sides are expected to rotate their squads for the League Cup tie, Stacey admitted that mental aspects of the game could crop up when facing the same team twice in quick succession.

Asked how Cherries were approaching the double header, Stacey told the Daily Echo: “I think (as) two separate games.

“I think if you look at it, if you compare the starting XI from Tuesday to Saturday from both teams, they will probably be very different.

“But the club is the same, so maybe there's an element of a psychological battle.

“But, yeah, we're just approaching (the cup) game as what it is.”

With sweeping changes expected from both sides, there is the strong possibility of a reunion for Asmir Begovic, who swapped the south coast for Merseyside in the summer of 2021.

Now a back up at Goodison Park for England international Jordan Pickford, the Bosnian has frequently started in Everton’s cup fixtures.

Asked if he was looking forward to catching up with the shot stopper, Stacey replied: “Yeah.

“That Championship season, he was top notch for us really, and a great guy as well, a great professional.”