JUSSI Jaaskelainen watched in admiration as fellow Finn Antti Niemi foiled and frustrated Wanderers and admitted: "That's why I can't get in the national side."

The Bolton man is regarded as one of the best keepers in the Premiership but when the big internationals come round he repeatedly has to play second fiddle to the man Saints snapped up for a bargain £2 million from Hearts.

And Niemi showed why he is Finland's number one with two stunning saves at the Reebok on Saturday to leave Jay-Jay Okocha wondering what more he has to do to open his scoring account.

At Spurs Big Sam's sharpshooter consoled himself with three points and an avalanche of plaudits as he cursed his accuracy and the White Hart Lane crossbars. This time he could not have been more precise but Niemi would not be beaten.

Sam Allardyce was not happy after seeing two more precious home points go begging but he paid a glowing tribute to the Saints man after the shut-out.

"I couldn't have asked for more from Jay-Jay," the Wanderers' boss said of his luckless captain. "He gave us quality and brilliance but was matched with equal quality and brilliance by some top goalkeeping."

Jaaaskelainen gets a chance to impress the selectors when he flies to America with the Finland squad this week to play friendlies against Honduras and Costa Rica but he knows he has his work cut out if he is to dislodge his rival, who has given the trip a miss to aid his recovery from a recent groin injury.

"Niemi has played well since he came to Southampton," Jaaskelainen acknowledged. "He's one of the reasons why they are doing so well.

"That's why I've got to work hard to try and get in the national side. All I can do is keep doing well here and hope things come from that."