MIDFIELD dynamo Anton Robinson is relishing the prospect of locking horns with local rivals Southampton and is confident Cherries can spring a surprise.

The first round draw of the Carling Cup yesterday paired Saints and Cherries, with Eddie Howe’s men due to travel to St Mary’s on the week commencing August 9.

With the clubs also set to meet twice in League One next term, the eagerly-anticipated game should act as a good gauge for Cherries as they look to make a successful transition into the third tier.

Saints are widely recognised as favourites to claim the League One title and Cherries will go into the cup clash as underdogs.

But former Weymouth captain Robinson, who was a key man for Howe’s promotion-winners last season, believes Cherries can cause an upset against their south coast neighbours.

He told the Echo: “They’re a big club and are probably favourites to get promoted, but I think we’re a strong team as well and, hopefully, we can test ourselves against them.

“Last year, in the majority of games we went into, we were favourites and there was a lot of pressure on us.

“This season, we’re going into a season where against a lot of the teams we’re not going to be favourites and I think that will take a lot of pressure off us. I think that’s a good thing.

“Southampton are a very strong team and they have got some great players. It will be nice to go up against them.

“I’m confident we can go there and cause an upset.

“It’s a big game and I’m looking forward to it already.”

The last time the clubs met in a competitive fixture was in the 1987-88 season, when Cherries claimed the local bragging rights in a two-legged League Cup derby win.

“The fans have been waiting for these fixtures for a very long time,” added Robinson.

“For a player to play at a ground like St Mary’s, in front of a big crowd and at a lovely stadium, “I think it’s going to be an unbelievable atmosphere.”

Cherries, who have bolstered their resources with six summer signings, last met Saints in league action in the old division three in 1959-60.

They will discover this morning when they are due to go head-to-head in League One next season when the fixtures are released.