JUSSI Jaaskelainen has given Sam Allardyce a fitness boost two weeks ahead of the big kick-off.

Wanderers' number one keeper, desperate to be fit for the start of the new Premiership season, returned from the club's summer training camp in Spain ready for action.

He is expected to make his comeback in the friendly at Halifax tomorrow - just over six months after undergoing major knee surgery to repair cruciate ligament damage.

Jaaskelainen, who had feared he would not be ready to figure so early in the pre-season programme, has made significant progress over the past week. He may not be given a full match at The Shay but is earmarked to play part of of the game.

Allardyce, who is hoping to land more new signings to strengthen his hand for what is going to be a tough Premiership campaign, is still looking at the goalkeeping department in which Steve Banks is his only experienced cover, should Jaaskelainen not be fit to start the season.

Over the weekend Wanderers were linked with Middlesbrough defender Dean Gordon and were also reported to be giving trials to Marseilles striker Cyrille Pouget and Jamaican midfielder Jermaine Johnson, an 18-year-old from the Tivoli Garden club who is valued at £1m.