Eddie Howe's Bournemouth face Premier League side West Brom in the fourth round of the Capital One Cup tonight at The Goldsands Stadium.

The Cherries are looking to reach the fifth round for the first time in the club's history and Howe understands that it is a big challenge. He told the Bournemouth Echo, “It is a great game for us and great for our supporters to see a Premier League team here.

"I watched them against Manchester United last week and thought they were excellent. They have been in good form, winning at Tottenham, beating Burnley comfortably at home and coming back to draw with Crystal Palace on Saturday.

Bournemouth are in good form in the Sky Bet Championship, showing that in their 8-0 win over Birmingham City, but Howe knows they will need more than that, “They are gaining in momentum as the season progresses and certainly have some useful front players so it will be a really good test.

"Hopefully, we can just enjoy it without the pressure of league points and it can be a really good occasion. I know it will be a stern test.”

When asked to comment on Premier League sides selecting a weaker starting XI, the Cherries' boss said, "I have a view that a lot of supporters want to see young players blooded but there is an outcry when that happens because you are perceived to have played what isn’t your strongest team.

"It is a difficult one for the Premier League clubs. With the pressure of points and all the money at stake at that level, I think they see this competition as a good chance to rotate their squads, keep everyone happy and give young players good experience."

Bournemouth will be without Andrew Surman who is cup-tied alongside Harry Arter and Steve Cook who are both suspended.

Despite some absentees, Howe can't wait to try and break a club record, “We will be big underdogs and have never been further than this in our history. I think that goes to show how big an ask this is.

"We talk a lot with the players about trying to break new ground and reach new levels.

“It is a great incentive to us. The club has been hugely successful over the past two years and to potentially break a record which has stood since the competition started would be a remarkable achievement so we are very keen to try to do it if we can.”