CHERRIES will face Portsmouth in a pre-season friendly at Fratton Park on Saturday, July 23 (3pm).

Eddie Howe will field his first team in a benefit game for Pompey favourite Alan McLoughlin.

Cherries have also agreed to donate their half of the gate receipts to McLoughlin’s benefit fund.

The clash will see a return to Fratton Park for Pompey old boy Matt Ritchie together with boss Howe.

Former Republic of Ireland midfielder McLoughlin remains a huge Pompey favourite for the loyalty shown to the club during his time as both a player and coach.

He made 354 appearances after joining in 1992 under Jim Smith and went on to score 67 goals for the club – including a memorable hat-trick at Premier League big-spenders Blackburn in 1994.

McLoughlin later served Pompey as both Academy and first-team coach until his departure at the end of 2014.

Meanwhile, reports coming out of Spain have suggested Cherries are being lined up to host Valencia in a pre-season friendly in early August.