KKEVIN Poole has no idea what is round the corner after making a shock Premiership comeback at the age of 38.
The veteran keeper answered Wanderers' SOS on Saturday when he stood in at the last minute after Jussi Jaaskelainen dramatically pulled out of the Everton game.
Now, after helping his temporary team-mates secure a precious point, he admits he can only sit and wait to see what happens next in the twilight of his long and distinguished career.
"I'll have to just wait and see what comes along when the contract finishes," he said. "I've had one or two clubs interested in me but nothing concrete."
It remains to be seen whether Poole will be offered a more permanent deal at the Reebok to replace the month's contract he signed nine days ago when he was drafted in as cover for Jaaskelainen and Steve Banks. But, regardless of what the future holds, the day he returned to the top flight after a four-year absence will be a memory he will cherish.
Surprisingly named as substitute ahead of Banks, who made his Premiership debut in the 3-2 defeat at Aston Villa a week earlier, the former Villa, Leicester and Birmingham stopper was sent on just seconds before kick off after Jaaskelainen failed to shake off a back injury he suffered in the pre-match warm-up - the latest in a series of goalkeeping setbacks Sam Allardyce has had to contend with in recent weeks.
"I knew in the warm-up that Jussi's back was a bit stiff," Poole confirmed. "He had an injection and tried it but it was no good.
"I wanted to play, of course I did, everybody wants to play. I was just happy to get a chance like that - and I enjoyed it. I didn't have too much to do and I couldn't blame myself for either of the goals - Alan Stubbs' shot was past me before I knew it!"
Poole's last senior performance was in September when he played for his former club Birmingham in a Worthington Cup win against Bristol Rovers, having returned to St Andrew's on a short-term contract as cover because Ian Bennett was injured.
"I still coach the youngsters at the Academy at Birmingham but I have nothing else lined up at the moment," he said, stressing his availability if Allardyce is struggling to find the third keeper he is searching for.
Allardyce praised Poole for his performance and also thanked Everton manager, Walter Smith, for playing ball when assistant boss Phil Brown asked referee Andy D'Urso if he could make the late changes to the teamsheet.
"Phil asked the referee if we could put Steve Banks on the bench," the manager explained. "Walter had no problems so we've got to be grateful to him for that.
"I don't think the goalkeeping situation affected our performance in any way. There was little anybody could do about Alan Stubbs' goal because it was a fantastic strike.
In fact I thought Kevin did very well."
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