Bournemouth manager Eddie Howe has confirmed that he will make changes to his side for Tuesday's EFL Cup fourth-round clash with Middlesbrough at the Vitality Stadium.

The Cherries have endured a difficult start to the Premier League season so far, picking up just seven points from their opening nine games to find themselves 19th in the table.

Howe has nonetheless said that the EFL Cup remains an important competition for his side - despite a home match against Chelsea looming at the weekend - and he insists that he will still be fielding a team he believes will send his side through to the quarter-finals.

"We always prepare the team to win and I believe in the squad. I need to keep the squad harmony good and give opportunities to some players and the chance to develop other players," he told reporters.

"There's a whole host of reasons I might change the team but I believe in all of our players. If you look at the bench on Saturday, there were plenty of regulars for us over the last few seasons so I have no hesitations in changing the team."

Bournemouth's win at Stoke City on Saturday was only their second in the Premier League all season.