Bolton Wanderers keeper Jussi Jaaskelainen headed into the Trotters weekend clash with former boss Sam Allardyce’s Blackburn Rovers side in fine form.

 

With three clean sheets from his five most recent Premier League starts, the Finn who has made more than 400 appearances for Bolton has been putting in some impressive performances at exactly the right moment for Owen Coyle’s side. Indeed, his manager was full of praise for the 34 year-old. "He has been a top-class goalkeeper all his days and still is. He has a big role to play at this club, " said Coyle, “Defending is a team game but if the players are breached they know there is a top-class 'keeper to make saves.”

Owen Coyle was disappointed with only a point against Wigan but with Jaaskelainen keeping them out at one end the potential return of a fit-again Croatian Ivan Klasnic at the other should at least provide Coyle with options. His team have been creating plenty of chances but have simply not taken them. "The shut-outs are pleasing but equally we have to take our chances at the other end. It is a case of putting those two things together. Klasnic has not trained with the group yet but he may join in today. If he does I will have to look at that. What I can't do is take a chance with him and have him miss another two or three weeks because he is a natural goalscorer. He will be important for us in the run-in."