OWEN Coyle believes Jussi Jaaskelainen will rise again as one of the Premier League’s best goalkeepers – but that the Big Finn can have no complaints about his current spell on the bench.

By the manager’s own admission, Jaaskelainen has been less than impressed about finding himself playing second fiddle to Adam Bogdan since returning from a thigh injury a few weeks ago.

A veteran of more than 500 games for Wanderers, the 36-year-old had remained virtually untouchable as the club’s number one for more than a decade.

But Coyle reckons his influence on Bogdan over the past couple of seasons has contributed to the Hungarian’s current fine form.

“Adam has been very fortunate to have the development and the upbringing with arguably the best goalkeeper that’s been in the Premier League for many, many years,” he told The Bolton News.

“Consistently Jussi has been right up there for 12 years or so, and he will be again. He has got a lot to offer this football club.

“He is frustrated now because Adam is in goal, he wants to play, and I love that.

“But Adam is very lucky to have worked under someone like him and seen how you have to go about things to be a top, top goalkeeper. That has helped him no end.

“It’s the same with Rob Lainton and Jay Lynch coming on the back of that. They get that experience of working with an elite keeper like Jussi, and it can only serve them well.”

Bogdan has held the number one shirt since the turn of the year, when Jaaskelainen strained a thigh muscle playing against Wolves at the Reebok.

He has so far featured in 14 games in league and cup, conceding 20 goals at a rate of 1.42 per game.

It is a record that compares favourably to that of Jaaskelainen this year, whose 18 appearances have seen Wanderers leak 37 goals at a rate of 2.05 per game.

And while four of Bogdan’s outings have come against opposition from outside the Premier League, Coyle reckons the task of choosing his number one right now is not a straightforward one.

“Adam is in the goal just now, but Jussi is back and available,” he said. “It has been difficult – and I have said this to Jussi – that prior to his injury I thought he was in the best form of his season.

“Adam stepped in and he’s been outstanding. I’ve got to be fair to players – if they are playing well, they stay in the team.

“Jussi’s training has been outstanding and he’s pushing Adam all the way. We’re very fortunate in that respect.”

Bogdan’s lowest ebb in his Wanderers career to date came against Chelsea back in October, when the Blues rattled five goals past him in a televised game at the Reebok.

His response has been impressive, and Coyle had no concern that the 24-year-old would respond in the right manner.

“If he had a bad day, that was the only one he’s had,” he said.

“As much as it’s after the event, the fact he’d bounce back was never up for debate.

“The lad had a bad day and lost a couple of goals that under normal circumstances he would never have lost.

“Within that he probably suffered because the team was low on confidence.

“But did we have any doubts? You only have to look at the next time he played – against Arsenal at the Emirates.

“It was never up for debate with me because I have said consistently since day one of coming to the club, he has quality and can go on to have a really good career.”