FOOTBALL crazy Ralf Little is on course for a weekend showdown against some of his soccer idols as reality show The Match reaches its climax.

The former Bolton School pupil is starring in Sky One's new reality show, The Match, which follows a group of celebrities at an intensive training camp under the watchful eye of former England boss Graham Taylor.

Ralf looks in good shape to make the final squad where he could face football legends including Paul Gascoigne, Bryan Robson, Gary Pallister, Viv Anderson and Matthew Le Tissier at St James's Park this Sunday.

Celebrities Andy Scott-Lee and Lee Latchford Evans are the latest who could be axed from the squad and are facing the public vote.

But Ralf was his usual cheeky self yesterday when the celebrities lined up in front of the team's tailor to be kitted out in designer suites for the big day.

The TV star stripped down to his pants and showed off his body to the physiotherapist, while flexing his muscles, saying: "Can you all go away while I get a massage?"

Meanwhile, the celebrities were forced to pay a forfeit for their wayward shooting in a practise session and were ordered to streak across the training pitch wearing nothing but their pants.

Hardline boss Taylor barked from the sidelines as the stars were told to chant "Sea-sea-seasiders," as they sprinted almost naked across the training pitch.

Up to now, Callum Best, Anthony Costa and Dane Bowers have been ordered off the park and will not take place in the squad's final 16.

The show is being hosted by Ulrika Jonsson and Mark Durden-Smith, with cameras capturing all the highs and the lows during the big match countdown.

In the past, Ralf has freely admitted that a career as a footballer would be his ultimate dream, and he would trade in his acting a career without a second thought.

Along with the smash TV hit The Royle Family, Ralf has appeared in Two Pints of Lager and a Packet of Crisps and Paradise Heights.