JUSSI Jaaskelainen could be the best goalkeeper in the world - if he only believed in his own ability.

Fred Barber, coach and mentor to the Wanderers' keeper, already rates the 32-year-old Finn among the Premiership's best. But he says there is no limit to what he could eventually achieve.

"I might be biased, but I think Jussi is right up there with the best," Barber said, comparing Jaaskelainen with Manchester United's Edwin van der Sar and Chelsea's Petr Cech, who were on opposite sides in Saturday's FA Cup Final.

"Some say Cech is the best, others say Van der Sar, but that's because they are at big clubs and get the big profile - and you can't knock that.

"People don't see Bolton Wanderers as a massive club, but that doesn't mean Jussi's any less of a keeper.

"Maybe if he was at one of the top clubs, he'd be considered the world's best goalkeeper already. But I think he still can be.

"His main problem is that he doesn't realise just how good he is. He's a very modest person, just a nice family man. He loves his wife, loves his children and he's very quiet. But you have to admire him for what he's achieved."

Jaaskelainen was the overwhelming choice as Wanderers' player of the year last season but he believes his best years are still ahead of him. And Barber, his coach for the last 10 seasons, agrees.

"I've known him for nine and a half years and I think he can get better," he said. He's already improved his shot-stopping and his kicking and the important thing is that he still wants to learn and still wants to work at his game.

"He will never achieve the high standards I set for him, but that's because I'm his coach and I'll always set new levels. We had good goalkeepers here at Bolton before Jussi came - Keith Branagan, Gavin Ward and Aidy Davison - but, for me, he's got to be up there in the top three in the Premiership."