JUSSI Jaaskelainen is taking nothing for granted as he prepares to pick up where he left off in May.

The Finland international, who last term leapfrogged two top drawer rivals to become undisputed number one, will make his first pre-season appearance when Wanderers take on the US Under 23 National team - the Olympic squad - in Indianapolis tomorrow.

But he refuses to consider himself the first choice and says the door is still open for Steve Banks and isn't even ruling out junior training partner Matt Glennon.

"Number one is still open for all three of us," Jaaskelainen insisted as he warmed up for the showpiece game at the Kuntz Stadium, now fully recovered following a knee operation in May.

"Everybody who is in the squad has a chance to get into the starting line-up. We all have to work harder to show the gaffer that we deserve a chance. I'm sure nothing is decided yet.'

At one stage last season Jaaskelainen was third choice behind more experienced rivals - the respected Keith Branagan and impressive Steve Banks - but opportunity knocked for the big Finn when they both picked up injuries.

He took his chance, produced a string of outstanding performances, earned a three-year extension to his contract and is now rated as one of the best young keepers in the country with a valuation in the region of £3 million.

The 25-year-old has matured beyond all recognition since his £350,000 transfer from VPS Vaasa in November 1997, establishing himself in the Finland international squad.

He pledged his commitment to Wanderers by signing the lengthy extension to his contract but not, he revealed today, until he had been given assurances that Fred Barber, the freelance goalkeeping coach, would continue to be employed on a part-time basis at the Reebok.

"I'm very happy here and my family is very happy but before I signed my contract, I asked the gaffer if Fred was going to be staying," Jaaskelainen confirmed. "He has done a great job for me in the last two and a half years. But I am still learning and probably always will be. When my contract ends I will still only be 29 years old and my best years will be still to come.

"Goalkeepers get better when they reach 30 to 31."