HIS hulking presence has been a staple in goal since Wanderers broke back into the big time a decade ago, so why are many now forecasting change on the horizon for Jussi Jaaskelainen?

Dropped for the first time in living memory for a Premier League game, on the same day his long-term challenger Ali Al-Habsi was performing heroics for Wigan Athletic, it is easy to interpret last weekend’s events as a defining moment, of sorts.

Jaaskelainen had been in fine form in the thrilling victory over Arsenal and was arguably his side’s best performer on a desperately disappointing night at Fulham, which magnified the sense of surprise felt when Owen Coyle opted to name Adam Bogdan in goal at Ewood Park.

The manager passed off his decision as a matter of resting the long-serving stopper, and giving his 23-year-old a ninth appearance of the season that his hard work had merited.

It was difficult, however, not to read more into the selection, given the mood of change currently sweeping around the Reebok in preparation for the summer.

Al-Habsi’s form on loan at Wigan has underlined what most Wanderers fans already knew.

Perhaps the Latics’ player of the season, the Oman international has boosted his reputation no end despite playing in a team that has consistently struggled against the drop.

Had Wigan been in a more secure position earlier in the season, then Roberto Martinez would have explored signing him on a permanent basis more thoroughly in January.

But Al-Habsi has certainly not been short of suitors, with clubs as varied as Arsenal, Manchester City and Aston Villa all tracking his progress with a view to a summer move.

Al-Habsi’s performances have done no harm to his market value, either, and that could be the key to whether he actually has a future with the Whites.

With little finance due to be at his disposal, Coyle will once again have to be canny in the summer transfer market and could well weigh up the sale of Al-Habsi against that of Jaaskelainen, who is one of the squad’s bigger earners and has just one more year left on his current contract.

The former’s sale would raise upwards of £3million – and given that he is unlikely to want to play second fiddle next season, those funds raised may be vital for Coyle’s transfer plans elsewhere in the squad.

Jaaskelainen has kept just six clean sheets in his 35 appearances in league and cup, leading some to suggest his grip on the goalkeeping gloves is working loose.

There was little evidence of that in the two games prior to his Ewood Park ‘rest’ but his age may well work against him and Coyle looks to push the club forward even further.

Bogdan has shown already that he is a safe pair of hands when called upon but is still too inexperienced to be a regular number one.

Al Habsi vanquished such fears a while ago, but given his rapidly accelerating value and long line of suitors, is he worth more to Coyle as a pawn in the transfer market than Jaaskelainen’s successor?