Cherries set for 'tough' start

Howe will begin his first full season in charge of the Cherries at Bury

Bournemouth manager Eddie Howe says his side will face a "tough" start to the 2009/2010 League Two season.

The Cherries have been handed a trip to beaten play-off semi-finalists Bury on the opening day, followed by a visit from Rotherham United.

Howe told BBC Radio Solent: "It looks like quite a tough start. They'll be very difficult games for us.

"We'd have liked to start with a home game like everyone else, but Bury is a long trip for our supporters first up."

He added: "We have to play everyone at some stage, so we'll just get on with it and start preparing for the first five or six games.

"I've had a quick look at the rest of the list, but I'm not looking much further than the opening few games."

The Cherries have a favourable Christmas fixture list, with three out of the four matches at home. The one exception is a trip to Cheltenham on Boxing Day.