CHERRIES boss Eddie Howe believes it is “impossible to call” the winners of the FA Cup replay between Ipswich and Portsmouth.

Howe’s team will meet the victors in the fourth round after they were handed a seventh successive away draw in a cup competition.

League Two Pompey, Howe’s former club, took the Championship high-fliers to a replay after drawing 2-2 at Portman Road on Saturday.

Cherries loan star Ryan Fraser grabbed a late equaliser for an Ipswich side which also included ex-Dean Court favourite Brett Pitman.

The teams will battle for the chance to host Cherries at the end of the month when they lock horns at Fratton Park a week tomorrow.

In an exclusive interview with the Daily Echo, Howe said: “Both teams are doing well in their respective divisions and it was clearly a very close encounter in the first game.

“I think the replay is impossible to call and whichever team goes through will provide us with formidable opposition in the fourth round.

“We played Ipswich four times in the Championship and drew every game. Everyone knows how much the Portsmouth fans get behind their team and Fratton Park is a very difficult venue for opposing teams.

“Again, we would have liked a home draw for our supporters but it promises to be an exciting tie whether we meet Ipswich or Portsmouth.”

Since their last home draw in a cup competition – in the League Cup against Liverpool in December 2014 – Cherries supporters have covered more than 2,880 miles watching six ties.

Cherries were beaten 5-1 by Pompey in the fourth round in 1990-91 and have also lost twice to Ipswich. They went down 3-0 in the fourth round in 1991-92 and lost a second replay in the first round in 1952-53.