JUSSI Jaaskelainen aims to do an international and domestic double over Southampton goalkeeper Antti Niemi this week.

The Wanderers keeper is determined to overtake his rival as Finland's number one when he gets a rare chance in Wednesday's friendly against Iceland.

And he plans to get the better of Niemi again on Saturday when the two are expected to go head to head in the game which could secure Wanderers' Premiership survival.

Jaaskelainen gets his opportunity for Finland due to injury to regular number one Niemi, who has missed the last four Southampton games through injury.

It is a game Sam Allardyce did not want him to play in but the Finns were adamant. Allardyce did get some satisfaction with Finland agreeing to his request that Jaaskelainen will play only half a game as will Bernard Mendy, who has been ordered to play for the French under 21s against Egypt.

Jaaskelainen, meanwhile, goes into the double bill with an enthusiastic tribute from manager Sam Allardyce who believes his keeper is in the best form of his life.

"Jussi is at the peak of his game," said the Reebok boss.

"He has saved us in games and won us points. His performances have been crucial.

"He has not been all that busy because of our outstanding defensive qualities of late. But what he has had to do he has done with skill, ability and excellent concentration.

"The concentration levels are crucial for a goalkeeper because if you switch off as a keeper then the quality of the Premiership will catch you out.

"We have talked a lot about the big name players but our success recently has been achieved because everyone in the team has lifted himself up to a level he has never been at before."

Jaaskelainen's form has sparked speculation that Manchester City and Manchester United could embark on a transfer tug of war for his services in the summer.

While flattered by the speculation, Jaaskelainen laughs it off and prefers to concentrate on continuing his rich vein of form. "I am quite pleased with my performances this season," he acknowledged.

"My consistency has improved from last season and I have achieved my pre-season aim to play all the games. I am also now getting that bit of luck every player needs. Earlier I was getting my fingers to the ball and it was going in, now it stays out."