The Bulls travel to Bournemouth tonight for a Johnstones Paint Trophy match.
The two sides have met in only one League season in the last 30 years. During the 09/10 season both games ended up as 2-1 wins for the home side with the Bulls victorious at Edgar Street thanks to a Marc Pugh double, and the Cherries winning at Dean Court thanks to a Brett Pitman brace. Pugh also scored in that game, six weeks before he joined them on a two year deal.
The Cherries have had a slow start to the current League One season under manager Lee Bradbury, winning just one of five League matches. They hammered five past Dagenham in the Carling Cup before being downed 4-1 at home to West Brom last week. Club owner Eddie Mitchell has had to defend himself against claims of asset stripping after the club sold four players over the summer, including banking £1million for teenage forward Danny Ings, while half of their summer arrivals have been on loan.
The Bulls will travel south expected to make several changes for the 'mickey mouse' competition. While competition rules - and the current injury crisis - will prevent wholesale changes there is expected to be some movement in the starting XI after playing every midweek since the start of the season. New loanees Sam Winnall, Tom Barkhuizen, and Will Evans will be looking for first appearances for the Bulls, while the likes of James McQuilkin and Joe Colbeck will be looking for a swift return to action after being omitted on Saturday following quiet performances at Villa Park. After just seven games only three players - Delroy Facey, Harry Pell, and Ryan Green - have started every match for the Bulls.
AFC Bournemouth vs Hereford United, Dean Court, Tuesday 30th August, 7.45pm.