BOSS Lee Bradbury believes the competitive nature of this weekend’s EC Group Cup will provide an ideal step up in his team’s pre-season programme.

Cherries have been involved in two entertaining friendlies since returning to action following their summer break – starting with a 10-0 win over Hamworthy Recreation before claiming a 4-4 draw at Poole Town.

They are likely to face a stiff test when the Glenn Hoddle Academy, Lokomotiv Moscow and FC Saarbrucken visit Seward Stadium for the club’s inter-European tournament.

Cherries lock horns with Hoddle’s academy this afternoon (3.30pm) before moving into a final or third/fourth-place play-off tomorrow.

Bradbury says Cherries will be determined to claim the £80,000 top prize and he expects the competition to give his men a good work-out.

He said: “It is a tournament, all the lads want to win and there is good prize money at stake.

“I think it is an exciting tournament. Hopefully, we will get a good crowd there and it would be nice for the lads to play in front of a decent crowd again.”

Meanwhile, trialists Sofiane Choubani, Callum Williams, Jordace Holder-Spooner and Ivan Forbes could feature after Bradbury confirmed they would remain with Cherries at least until after Tuesday’s friendly at Wimborne Town.

Bradbury is also expected to run the rule over former Grimsby Town full-back Peter Bore this weekend.

• Charlton Athletic defender Simon Francis has failed to agree personal terms with Cherries, according to the Addicks’ official website.

Wolves’ Scott Malone, however, again hinted at a move south on his Twitter feed yesterday.