Jaaskelainen To Miss Rest Of Season

Jussi Out For Season
By Mark Heys
March 16 2008

Bolton Wanderers long serving goalkeeper Jussi Jaaskelainen will miss the rest of the season with a back injury as has been confirmed by Trotters manager Gary Megson after this afternoon's disappointing 1-0 defeat at Wigan Athletic.

Jaaskelainen has missed the last three games with the injury and Megson confirmed that the Finn, who is out of contract in the summer, will play no further part in the run in.

Oman international Ali Al-Habsi made his Premiership debut this afternoon and the the former Lyn Oslo keeper will replace Jaaskelainen between the sticks for the immediate future and will be backed up by Ian Walker and Adam Bogdan.

Speaking of the injury, Megson says Jaaskelainen will require surgery on the problem after an initial rest.

"He needs six weeks of rest to try and resolve his problem, and he is also going to need some form of surgery, Either way, his season is over." said Megson today

Jaaskelainen has been a regular fixture in the Bolton team since their promotion to the Premier League in 2001 and has rarely suffered with injuries or suspensions so this will be a huge blow to the Wanderers plans.