MICHAEL Ricketts is being tipped to match Marcus Stewart's chart-topping impact on the Premiership.

The Wanderers' goal star has made an impressive start, scoring in the two games that have brought maximum points and put Sam Allardyce's shock troops on top of the table.

Now team-mate Jussi Jaaskelainen believes the 22-year-old Brummie will continue to menace defences and emulate Stewart, the Ipswich striker who was top scorer in the Premiership last season when the Tractor Boys clinched a EUFA Cup place in their first season back in the top flight.

"Michael scored 24 goals for us last season and I truly believe he is capable of scoring a lot in the Premiership this season," says the Reebok keeper who has still to be stretched, let alone beaten, in the first two games.

"For a lot of people, Marcus Stewart was the best player last season because he scored a lot of goals during his first season in the top flight. I think Michael can emulate that achievement for us during this campaign.

"He's a fantastic striker and he's been great for us ever since he joined the club - as far as I am concerned, he is the perfect Premiership front man. He is strong, he is fast, he's got a good touch and he knows where the goal is as well. I'm sure he will be responsible for a lot of points we win this season."

Jaaskelainen adds on his personal web site: "Obviously he can't do it on his own and he needs the support of the midfield players behind him. But, if he gets the chances, I'm sure he can put them away.

"In the past, a lot of players have gone on to do well in their first Premiership season. Kevin Phillips proved that he was a top quality goalscorer when he first came up with Sunderland a few years ago and, hopefully, Michael can do the same.

"It's far too early in the season to say how many goals he's going to get but, if things go his way, I'm sure he'll have a few under his belt by May."