Cherries will begin their League One season with one of the most difficult matches they could have been given - a trip to Charlton Athletic.

The newly-promoted side will visit the former Premier League outfit on Saturday, August 7.

Cherries earned their place in the third tier with an against-the-odds promotion last term, finishing second in the Football League's basement division behind champions Notts County.

Charlton also enjoyed an impressive season, although they narrowly missed out on elevation to the Championship after reaching the play-offs.

The game at The Valley will see Cherries meet one of the early promotion favourites, with Charlton ranked alongside the likes of Southampton and Sheffield Wednesday in the betting.

The fixture will come just days before Cherries visit south coast rivals Saints in a potentially mouth-watering Carling Cup first-round clash on the week commencing August 9.

It means Cherries could hardly have been handed two more difficult trips in their opening matches of the campaign.

But speaking after yesterday's League Cup draw, Cherries boss Howe insisted: "I don’t think you can go anywhere with fear."

Chairman Eddie Mitchell added: "There’s a good feeling around the town about next season.

“I’m sure we’ll have our fair share of good results and good days, and it’s all positive.”

SEE TOMORROW'S DAILY ECHO FOR CHERRIES' FULL FIXTURE LIST AND REACTION.