JUSSI Jaaskelainen is sure a rest will help to change Wanderers’ fortunes at home to West Ham on Saturday.

The Finland international opted to stay behind to train with the club this week rather than join up with his international team-mates in Faro to play a friendly against Portugal.

And he is optimistic that the fixture break will work in the Whites’ favour this weekend.

Preparations have now begun in earnest for back to back home games against the Hammers and Newcastle United eight days later – the results of which could well shape the season to come for Gary Megson’s men.

Now, the keeper hopes the extended post-mortem conducted after the 3-0 defeat against Everton will help his side bounce straight back at the Reebok.

“After the Everton game it was quiet,” Jaaskelainen said. “People didn’t want to talk about it. But deep inside, we know what we have to do to put the result right.

“We have got two big home games coming up. We’ve had a chance of a rest, a few days off, and hopefully we will look fresh.”

Wanderers will be defending an unbeaten run at the Reebok against the Hammers.

It has been 13 years since the East Londonders last emerged victorious in Bolton – that courtesy of goals from Ian Bishop, Tony Cottee and Danny Williamson in a game that saw Mark Patterson sent off for the Whites at Burnden Park.

Trying to change the run of results on Saturday will be Jaaskelainen’s opposite number, Robert Green, who says his side are also looking to make up for a disappointing display last time out.

Admitting that the Hammers were under-par in last weekend’s 1-1 draw with Middlesbrough in the FA Cup, the England goalkeeper has stressed the importance of an improved show.

“I think we’ve learnt a lesson that if we aren’t 100 per cent on our game we won’t always win.

“If we can take that from it into Saturday's game at Bolton - which is a massive game for us - and then Middlesbrough again then we’ll have learnt a lesson and really go for it. In that respect there is something to take from it at least.”