JUSSI Jaaskelainen today enjoyed the highest point of his Bolton Wanderers career and admitted: "I've still got a lot to learn." The Finnish goalkeeper went into today's crucial FA Cup quarter-final showdown with Charlton on the back of his best performance in a Wanderers shirt.

Having started the season as third choice behind Keith Branagan and Steve Banks, the big 24-year-old has earned No 1 status with a string of consistently impressive displays culminating in last week's St Andrew's super show.

Get better

Jaaskelainen has endured his share of lows during his two years at Wanderers but for every one step backwards he has made two forwards.

He knows he still has rough edges which need smoothing out, admitting: "I have been going forward but I still have a lot to learn and a lot to prove.

"I have learned a lot in the two years I have been here but I feel I can get much better. You learn from every game and you continue to gain in confidence the more you play." Jaaskelainen's progress has been an important factor in a season when the two men in front of him in the pecking order at the beginning of the season suffered injury at the same time of the season.

The double blow provided the Finn with his big chance and he has taken it with both hands, establishing himself as first choice under Sam Allardyce who says: "Jussi has done excellently since I have been here. But I have an excellent choice of goalkeepers."

Jaaskelainen added: "I was third choice at the start of the season and my attitude was that I just had to work hard and try to push myself forward.

"I was lucky to get a chance when Branny and Steve got injured and I took it.

"It is hard but that's the way it is in football. Someone's bad luck is somebody else's good luck and when you get your chance you have got to take it.

"But I need to keep doing it because it is a long season and there is always someone waiting to take your place." His development has revived his hopes of playing his way back into the international scene.

He has represented his country in three friendlies during his short career, the latest coming 18 months ago, and he knows that his continued presence in Wanderers' first team can seriously enhance his chances of winning back the Finland No 1 shirt.

There are two keepers playing in Finland who are the current top choices and four more, including Jaaskelainen, who are trying to force their way into the national squad by impressing with their British clubs.

"It was a good experience playing for my country and I just hope I can get another chance. I want to play more for my country and to do so I need to keep playing well for my club."

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