JUSSI Jaaskelainen will embark on a voyage of discovery when he makes his first appearance as Finland's undisputed number one.

The happy Wanderer has stepped up as his country's top keeeper following Antti Niemi's decision to retire from international football and was an automatic choice when the team was announced for the friendly against Denmark on Thursday - a warm up for next Wednesday's World Cup qualifier against Holland.

The games mark the beginning of a new chapter in the career of the hard-working Reebok star and the start of a well-deserved summer break in which Jussi and his wife Tessa will take their sons, William (six) and Emil (four), who were born and raised in England, on a month-long camper van tour of their homeland.

"Both our sons were born in Bolton so we're taking this opportunity to tour Finland and show them the country," he said. "They will see and learn a lot."

Jaaskelainen, who is expected to agree a contract extension with Wanderers before the new season kicks off, could not be in better form or in more confident mood going into his 11th full international.

The best season of his career saw him turn in consistently high performances - the top Bolton performer in the Actim Index list that plots the performances of every Premiership player - playing a major role in the Whites' qualification for next season's UEFA Cup.

Indeed, his emergence as one of the best goalkeepers in the country would have tested Niemi's dominance of the Finland job, had he not quit the Finland scene to concentrate on his club career with Southampton.

The way is now clear for the 30-year-old Jaaskelainen to cement his position as a regular on the international stage, but it is a development he will take in his stride.

"I would have prepared for the game in the same way, even if Antti had still been playing," he told the Helsinki daily, Ilpa-Sanomat ahead of the Denmark game, which is being staged in Tampere, Finland's second city.

"Of course, I know there will be more responsibility for me but I am ready for it. I couldn't be more ready.

"I feel I am getting better and better as a player all the time and now I've reached my best age as a player."

Finland, who currently lie fourth in their qualifying group, have little hope of making the World Cup Finals but national coach, Antti Muurinen, is looking for victory in next Wednesday night's clash with group leaders Holland in the Olympic Stadium in Helsinki and is expected to field his strongest possible side.