Joe Cole: 'West Ham United face tough test at Bournemouth'

Joe Cole has predicted that West Ham United will face a tough test when they play Bournemouth in a pre-season friendly this weekend.

The Hammers have recorded comfortable wins against Cork City and Boreham Wood since returning from their summer break.

The midfielder told the club's official website: "Bournemouth's a lovely place to go. They play good football now under a young manager and it's going to be a tough test for us.

"It's only early days, but we'd like to put a marker down and show that we've improved. So we're going there to try and get the result.

"All these pre-season games are for fitness but you've got to try and win the games as well. That's what you're practicing for, to try and win football matches."

The Hammers travel to Dean Court tomorrow afternoon.