FORGET all the talk of a striker war, the hottest competition at the Reebok next season will be for the number one jersey.

Giant Finn Jussi Jaaskelainen is almost back to full fitness and he has one aim - to win back his place.

He will have a fight on his hands though.

Matt Clarke is on the verge of signing from Bradford in a half-million pound deal and at the moment the Yorkshireman is Sam Allardyce's number one keeper.

Clarke was in magnificent form during the play-offs and produced a crucial save in the second half of the Millennium Stadium clash against Preston, tipping a David Healey shot round the post when the score was delicately poised at 1-0.

Jussi was impressed. But it will not stop him throwing himself head-first into training and trying to impress the manager before the start of the Premiership season.

"Matt Clarke had a very good game for us against Preston and made some match-winning saves," admitted the popular keeper, who was in stunning form before a cruciate ligament injury forced him to miss the second half of the promotion winning season.

"A lot of people will be recommending that we sign him and he might want to return to the Premiership after his time with Bradford.

"I have to be honest and say that I don't know what's going on at the moment, all I know is I'll be fighting for my place and any other goalkeepers will have to do the same."

Jussi is desperate to play in the Premiership, especially after missing out the last time Wanderers were on the big stage.

Then he was signed too late to save Wanderers from relegation and was understudy to Keith Branagan.

"I had a small taste of the top flight when I joined Bolton - sitting on the bench for a couple of games before we got relegated - and I'm really looking forward to getting the opportunity next season," explained Jussi.

"I'll be absolutely delighted to play just one game in the Premiership but my aim is to be the number one choice as soon as I'm fit again.

"It feels good to be a Premiership player. It's great to have something to celebrate at last. This is the first time I've won something in my career and it's a huge thing for me and everyone else ... even if I wasn't fit enough to take part.

"I was sitting on the bench with the rest of the squad so I was right in the thick of the action when the final whistle went. I didn't get a medal but that doesn't matter. The main thing is we're back in the Premiership."