Wanderers fan Jake Lloyd was left speechless when his favourite footballer popped in to see him in hospital on Wednesday.

The seven year old is being treated at The Royal Manchester Children's Hospital, Pendlebury, for a rare strain of leukaemia.

And Bolton Wanderers goalkeeper Jussi Jaaskelainen dropped in to give the youngster the surprise of his life.

Jake and his father, Keith, are Wanderers season ticket holders. And Jussi is Jake's favourite player - because they have the same colour hair.

Finland international Jussi presented Jake with a signed Bolton Wanderers shirt, a team poster and lots of chocolate.

After the initial shock, Jake told Jussi: "We nearly won against Man United. I think the score for the West Brom game will be 2-1."

Jussi said: "No, we want it to be 2-0 - I don't want to let one in!"

The pair talked football for some time with Jake showing Jussi pictures of the Bolton Wanderers bedroom he has created at his Hindley home.

His bedroom was decorated as a surprise by family friends while the youngster was receiving his first chemotherapy treatment.

Jake's mother, Lynn, said: "This is something we will all remember forever. Jake wears his Jussi shirt all the time and is mad about him.

"Just to see his face was amazing.

"He'll be talking about this with his friends for years."

Jussi said: "I have two sons, aged three and six, so it really makes me feel lucky when I meet someone like Jake. If I can help his recovery by cheering him up with a visit, I'll do all I can.

"I wish him all the best and hope his treatment is a success."

In August, Jake was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukaemia, a strain which only affects about 50 children a year in the UK.

His symptoms started with bruising on his legs and heavy nosebleeds.

After a visit to the family doctor and then Wigan Infirmary, his family received the devastating news that Jake had leukaemia.

He has been given a 70 per cent chance of survival.

After an operation at Pendlebury, he underwent 10 days of chemotherapy.

He is currently undergoing his second of four doses of chemotherapy, which will last eight days.