CHAIRMAN Eddie Mitchell is confident Cherries’ new South Stand will open ahead of Sunday's showdown with Spanish stars Real Madrid.

Subject to “routine checks”, Dean Court will be able to accommodate the 2,500 Cherries fans who snapped up extra tickets within three hours of them going on sale on Tuesday.

A Bournemouth council spokesman confirmed that an officer would visit the ground tomorrow to give the green light with no problems anticipated over the required safety certificate.

The South Stand, which will be named after and opened by Cherries legend Ted MacDougall prior to hosting the nine-time European champions, came together in a matter of days with the structure little more than a shell when Bournemouth hosted West Ham last weekend.

But the work of around 200 people, including Mitchell, saw the job completed in time and despite needing to clear the final hurdle, the Cherries chief insists the stand will be open.

On gaining the safety certificate, Mitchell explained: “As far as we’re concerned the stand is built. I wouldn’t go public and say it is going to be open unless I knew it was going to fall in line.

“It has already been inspected by the police, the fire brigade and so on but before we are allowed to open the stadium it goes through its routine checks and that’s what will happen. They have all been here, said it is great and ticked all the boxes.

“The stadium will be open on four sides on Sunday.”

Mitchell publicly thanked all those involved in getting the stand finished, describing the feat as “tremendous to see, tremendous to be involved with” before going on to pay tribute to MacDougall.

On the naming of the new facility, Mitchell added: “It will be a big part of the occasion. Ted is worshipped here and rightly so.

“He has been a prolific player for the club and we’re proud to be able to name the stand after him.

"It will be wonderful for him to open it. He’s a loveable chap and it has been received really well.”