WHEN it comes to pre-seasons, Jussi Jaaskelainen has been there and got the T-shirt . . . 13 of them, in fact.

The Big Finn has been through the summer rigmarole more times than he’d care to mention, but he might have special reason to prepare well for the next campaign, whcih begins next Saturday against Fulham.

Barring injury, Jaaskelainen is in line to pass 500 appearances in all competitions just after Christmas, a feat achieved by only eight players in the club’s history. Nat Lofthouse, Paul Jones, Ted Vizard, Bryan Edwards, Warwick Rimmer, Alex Finney and Roy Greaves are all founder members of the 500 Club – while at the top, Eddie Hopkinson’s mark of 578 stands as the pinnacle for any Wanderers stalwart.

Jaaskelainen currently boasts 472 appearances, one as a substitute, since making his first in 1998 against Crystal Palace, which means Hopkinson’s benchmark could come within sight in the foreseeable future.

Typically, the long-serving stopper isn’t looking far beyond the visit of the Cottagers on Saturday week, although he is aware of the lofty company he is about to keep.

“It doesn’t really change things for me,” said the unflappable Finn. “I’ve heard the 500 games is coming up but all I do is try and work hard, keep my focus, and hopefully play on a Saturday. Then the numbers come and go.

Eddie’s record is still a few seasons away, so I won’t really think about that for now.

“It’s dangerous to think too far ahead. You have to try and keep yourself in shape. My experience down the years helps me because I know what I have to do during the week and what is expected from me on Saturdays when you play in the Premier League.

“I feel good – and experience helps you a lot, especially with goalkeepers.”

Jaaskelainen is probably best placed to assess the current standard of Owen Coyle’s squad, which he feels is more than capable of improving on last season’s 14th placed finish.

The 34-year-old stopper has been particularly impressed with new signing Martin Petrov.

“I think the squad looks good at the minute, there is a good balance there,” he said. “The gaffer wants to bring in a couple maybe to boost things a little but things are going great.

“If you look at the pre-season games, we need to start taking a little more care in the final third. I think we’ll create more chances then. It has been great to get someone like Martin here – the manager has mentioned he’s probably the second best free transfer out there, and I’d agree.

“He will bring some great goals and be a big, big player for us.”