CHERRIES legend Steve Fletcher paid tribute to "shining light" Warren Cummings – but admitted the defender had pushed him close to the edge on more than one occasion!

Cummings will tomorrow have his glittering career at Cherries honoured when the Dorset side take on Italian giants AC Milan at Vitality Stadium (4pm).

The 35-year-old enjoyed a fruitful and eventful stay at Dean Court between 2003 and 2012, playing a key role in promotion from League Two which culminated in winning the play-off final at the Millennium Stadium in 2003.

The Aberdonian helped Cherries achieve the Greatest Escape in 2009 before featuring heavily as the club won promotion from League Two the following season, the start of the meteoric rise to the Premier League.

Cummings, who also had two loan spells with Cherries, finished his career at Havant & Waterlooville having clocked up more than 350 appearances as a professional.

Fletcher was at Dean Court for the vast majority of Cummings's permanent spell and revealed how the effervescent Scot had proved pivotal in the dressing room.

“Warren was actually quite quiet to start with," said Fletcher. “But he turned out to be the loudest most entertaining player I’ve ever met and played with.

"He’s charismatic, full of energy and lights up a room. In all my years of playing football I never met anyone on the same level as him.

“You need people like Warren in the dressing room because when you are down and times are difficult, he is the shining light to get you back on track.

“At times he went overboard but that was just part and parcel of his character. I had him by the scruff of the neck a few times when he pushed me too far!

“We always talk about it now and laugh about it. There were so many incidents on the coach where I’d have to tell him it was too much! But you could never tell him enough was enough – he was like a red rag to a bull.

“I wouldn’t fall out with him, I would warn him and in the next breath I’d be giving him a kiss and a cuddle. I loved him as a person.

“He was an infectious character and played with his heart on his sleeve."

Fletcher says Cummings's testimonial – in which loan star Jack Wilshere could make his Cherries debut – is an apt reward for his old team-mate's efforts for the club down the years.

“It’s a fantastic game for him and thoroughly deserved," said Fletcher.

“He has been recognised and honoured for his contribution and it’s going to be a great game for him and everyone involved.

“It reminds me a bit of when we played Real Madrid and nobody could believe they had come down. This game will be up there with that one.

“I’m sure everyone will want to come out to recognise his contribution and also to see AC Milan because it’s not every day they turn up.”