WANDERERS' Premiership fortunes will be in safe hands next season, if Jussi Jaaskelainen manages to fulfil his personal ambitions.

The Finland international - rated one of the best young keepers in the game - is anxious to improve on the high standards he has already set himself and fight off any challenge to his position as the Reebok's undisputed number one.

A year ago, in the latter stages of his recovery from reconstruction surgery on his knee, he was not sure if he would be fit enough to start the season and actually wondered whether he would even get a game in the Premiership. But today it is a different story.

With all due respect to the veteran Kevin Poole, who has signed a new on-year contract, and the out-of-favour Steve Banks, there is only one serious candidate for the goalkeeper's shirt.

And, unless Sam Allardyce springs a surprise by bringing in a top class rival, Jaaskelainen's will be the first name on the teamsheet on August 17 and, if he has his way, it will stay there throughout the season.

"My ambition mainly is to keep my place in the team," he insists.

Jaaskelainen will add to his experience and his games tally when he returns in Saturday's prestige friendly against Inter Milan in Reggio Emilia.