CHERRIES star Marcus Browning has played down suggestions he will be on a revenge mission when he locks horns with old adversary Tony Butler tomorrow.

Browning was red-carded after clashing with the Bristol City defender during Cherries' stormy LDV Vans Trophy showdown at Dean Court in January.

The 32-year-old midfielder was sent packing after the two players had been involved in an ugly flare-up deep into first-half stoppage time.

But despite receiving a booking for his part in the clash, Browning claimed he had been the innocent victim of an alleged double head-butt from Butler.

Photographic evidence appeared to back up Browning's claim and the Bristol-born ace left the pitch with blood pouring from a cut above his right eye before Butler was also later dismissed by controversial referee Keith Hill.

Despite the history between the two men, Browning is adamant he will not be looking to get even when he squares up against Butler during Cherries' Sky-televised Division Two encounter (12.05pm kick-off).

In an exclusive interview with the Daily Echo, Browning said: "I'm just going to get on with my normal game. That's been and gone now and I've forgotten all about it.

"There's no point in bearing grudges and trying to get your own back because you end up getting into more trouble. Hopefully everything will be okay and I will survive the 90 minutes this time.

"It was just one of those things which happens. You don't go looking for it and if it happens, it happens. It was just in the heat of battle."

A self-confessed City fan in his younger days, Browning switched his allegiance when he signed for Bristol Rovers as a schoolboy and knows he will be in for a hot reception from the travelling supporters tomorrow.

Browning added: "My dad used to take me to Ashton Gate to watch Joe Royle and Tom Ritchie, but I know I'll get some stick from them because it's traditional.

"I've got a lot of mates who support them and my brother-in-law is also a big City fan so I'm used to getting it in the neck about my links with Rovers.

"I think they will be one of the strongest sides we will play this season and I'm sure they will be there or thereabouts in May. But we have played a lot of the teams in the top six already and we haven't done too badly against any of them so if we can carry that on, it should be a good game."

Despite picking up three bookings in Cherries' last four league games, Browning - who was the victim of another debatable red card decision at Oxford on Boxing Day - is vowing not to change his combative approach.

He added: "If I go into games worrying about whether I'm going to get booked, I'm going to make myself look bad on the pitch. I can't keep thinking about whether or not I can make a tackle just in case I might get booked.

"If there's a tackle to be won, I've got to go for it - that's the way it's going to be and I've just got to get on with it.

"I think I've been a bit unlucky with the bookings this season, but it's part and parcel of the game. I know we can't afford any suspensions because the squad is so small, but I can't go around trying to change my game and walking on a tightrope."

Cherries boss Sean O'Driscoll is sweating on the fitness of targetman Steve Fletcher, but hopes to have defender Jason Tindall available for selection.

Fletcher aggravated a shoulder injury during Cherries' 1-0 win at Wrexham six days ago and is likely to face a late fitness test, providing he comes through training today. Tindall, sidelined by a knee injury for a fortnight, returned to training on Tuesday and is in a similar position to Fletcher. Both players emerged unscathed from a session at Canford School yesterday morning.

O'Driscoll will be forced to make at least one change to his starting line-up with James Hayter, Alan Connell and Derek Holmes all in the frame to replace Warren Feeney who is on international duty with Northern Ireland under-21s. Brian Stock is away with Wales under-21s.

City are without influential midfielder and captain Tommy Doherty who is also on international duty with Northern Ireland and his place looks set to go to veteran campaigner Brian Tinnion.

Cherries: (from) Moss, Broadhurst, C Fletcher, Maher, Purches, O'Connor, Browning, Hayter, Cummings, S Fletcher, Elliott, Thomas, Young, Holmes, Connell, Tindall, Stewart. Bristol City: (from) Phillips, Carey, Butler, Coles, Hill, Wilkshire, Burnell, Tinnion, Bell, Roberts, Peacock, Miller, A Brown, Matthews, Hulbert, Fortune, Stowell.