BOSS Eddie Howe is anticipating a battle royale between Warren Cummings and Rhoys Wiggins for Cherries’ left-back berth.

In the blue corner from Scotland is Cummings, currently in possession of the shirt and a veteran of more than 200 appearances.

And in the red corner is Hillingdon’s adopted Welshman Wiggins, who is tonight set to hit the comeback trail after recovering from injury.

Wiggins, on loan from Crystal Palace until the end of the season, will line up in Cherries’ Combination clash against Exeter City at St James’ Park (7pm).

The 21-year-old seized his chance after arriving to cover for rib-injury victim Cummings in January and looked the part in his first six games.

But despite keeping his place once Cummings had returned to full fitness, Wiggins then sustained a badly swollen right knee during Cherries’ 1-0 win over Accrington Stanley five weeks ago.

In his absence, Cummings, who suffered a dip in form earlier this season, has been starting to rediscover the form that once made him one of the best left-backs outside of the Premiership.

And with battle set to recommence between the duo, Howe knows he will be on to a winner – irrespective of the outcome.

Howe told the Daily Echo: “As a manager, this is just the type of situation you want. With Rhoys coming back, we will have two very good players fighting for one position.

“Warren has been excellent since he came back into the side and it’s always difficult because it’s such a specialised position. Rhoys was excellent when he was in possession of the shirt and now Warren has done the same. They are going to have a real battle to see who plays.

“The man in possession has to do the business in order to stay in the team and it keeps everyone on their toes. They are both very good players and it is good competition for them.”

Scott Guyett, Josh McQuoid, Joe Partington, Liam Feeney and Ryan Pryce have also been named in a strong Cherries squad for the trip to Devon.

Cherries: (from) Pryce, Webb, Oldring, Preston, Ings, Hutchings, Wiggins, Guyett, Annetts, McQuoid, Partington, Hill, Feeney, Magookin, Thomas.