CHERRIES keeper Darryl Flahavan is relishing Sunday’s replay against old foe Cristiano Ronaldo – seven years after getting the better of the Real Madrid star.

Flahavan, 34, proved the £80 million man’s nemesis, keeping a clean sheet in Southend’s shock 1-0 success over Manchester United in the League Cup in 2006.

Ronaldo went on to become the first player to lift all four PFA and writers’ player-of-the-year awards in 2006-7 with Flahavan one of the few keepers to deny Portugal’s prolific marksman.

And the former Shrimpers custodian hopes to get the chance to renew acquaintances this weekend when the boys from the Bernabeu come to town.

The experienced stopper has played the whole 90 minutes in Cherries’ last two first-team friendlies against Christchurch and West Ham United while Ryan Allsop has been sidelined with a short-term injury.

And with the high-profile exhibition match on the horizon, Flahavan would love the opportunity to stare into the whites of Ronaldo’s eyes once more.

Flahavan told the Daily Echo: “I’m pretty sure he (Ronaldo) won’t remember who I am but everyone knows who he is.

“I’m sure he’ll look a million dollars again, as he always does. He’s an absolutely world-class player and it will be a privilege to be on the same pitch as him again.

“If he does remember me, then great, but he has played on some of the biggest stages in world football and whether he does or doesn’t, if I am lucky enough to get another chance to play against him then it will be great.

“I know that from the first second of the game that I’ll have to be on my toes against all of them because everyone at Real Madrid is world-class.

“There’s a real buzz about the place and I am really looking forward to it.”

One report described Flahavan’s first showdown with Ronaldo as a ‘duel’ between the seemingly mismatched duo, however, it turned into a night to remember for the Cherries keeper.

“It was just one of those days,” added Flahavan. “I got lucky I suppose, but it was a great night for me. Just to play against players like that was unbelievable but to come out on top was a massive bonus.

“Before the game, you see he is lining up and you know you’re going to be in for a busy one, and it was.

“It is one to tell the grandkids when you’re older and not many goalkeepers will come out on top against Cristiano Ronaldo. I guess it was my night and I will always have that forever.”

Matt Tubbs, Matt Ritchie and Marc Pugh could miss out on Cherries’ pre-season showpiece with niggling injuries, but midfielders Richard Hughes and Eunan O’Kane may feature.

Meanwhile, Cherries have announced they will host England Women’s 2015 World Cup qualifier against Belarus at Dean Court on Saturday, September 21.