JUSSI Jaaskelainen heads to the North-east tomorrow in the form of his life – but Gary Megson has rejected the suggestion he could be soon heading there for good.

Newcastle and Spurs were linked last week with a January move for the Finland international, who signed a new four-year deal with Wanderers in the summer. But Megson does not expect to have another battle on his hands to keep hold of the 33-year-old, such as he faced in the summer when his contract neared its expiry.

“I wouldn’t have thought there was any truth in Jussi and Newcastle, or Jussi and anywhere else,” he said. “I’d expect him to stay.

“He signed a new contract a few months ago, and while transfers do still happen, I know there hasn’t been any contact through myself or through Phil Gartside. Jussi seems happy here, as do his wife and children. I hope that is something we don’t have to deal with.”

Now secure under the terms of his new deal, Jaaskelainen has reserved his best form for the road, impressing in recent victories over Hull and Middlesbrough. And Megson has not been surprised by his keeper’s displays away from the Reebok.

“I’d say it is a reflection of how settled he is,” he noted. “He is a talented lad and his game against Hull three weeks ago was exceptional. But I was also impressed with his game at Middlesbrough for different reasons.

“His distribution is top-drawer and his communication with his back four was excellent too.”

Victory at the Riverside was built on an impressive, if nail-biting, rearguard display. Two early goals had given Wanderers a commanding start and, should the same happen at Sunderland, Megson would like them to have the confidence to score more.

“It’s human nature to sit back and defend but I’d like to think if it happened again that we would push forward more than we did,” he said.

“No message went out to drop deep – it just happened. What we need is the self-belief to go and take the game to our opponents.”