FIVE Jussi Jaaskelainen alternatives West Ham should consider

The second choice goalkeeper is purely there to keep the first choice keeper on his toes.

One bad performance, or too many mistakes, then that could spell the end for the number one shot stopper for a fair few games. As number two goalkeepers go, former Bolton Wanderers man Jussi Jaaskelainen is up there with the very best.

This is a keeper that has made 530 appearances in the Premier League for both Bolton Wanderers and West Ham United, and the 39 year old is still going strong.

However, Jaaskalainen isn’t getting any younger, so who is available to replace the former Finland international this summer?

Here are FIVE potential understudies to keep Adrian on his toes.

Click on the man himself to reveal…

Jack Butland

Butland has been dubbed one of England’s brightest players.

Not many goalkeepers get that kind of recognition for someone who has been tipped to force his way into the England fold sooner rather than later.

While performing the heroics at former club Birmingham City, the likes of Manchester United, Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur were all looking to secure his signature. However, in 2013, he ignored the so called ‘elite clubs’ and signed for Stoke City.

Many thought that the Potteries secured one of the singings of the season. However, Butland has found it a struggle to get in front of Asmir Begovic for that number one spot and has been limited to just three appearances, and as a result, has been on loan at Birmingham City, Barnsley, Leeds United and Derby County respectively.

Is it time for Butland to fullfill his potential elsewhere?

Marcus Bettinelli

Only this season, this unknown figure has managed to force his way into Gareth Southgate’s England U21 set up. So, who is Marcus Bettinelli and what’s so special about him?

In 2013, while on loan at League Two minnows Accrington Stanley, Bettinelli was so impressive in that campaign that he was voted Stanley’s Young Player of the Year after a season with Conference outfit Dartford the year before.

Brave off his line, great at taking crosses and a good communicator, Bettinelli, whose father Vic is an academy coach at the Cottagers, is now a firm favourite with the Fulham faithful and has made 34 appearances this season.

Can the 22-year-old fill the void for the imminent departure of Jaaskelainen?

Jason Steele

Steele had served his former club Middlesbrough with distinction.

In his eight years on Teeside where he came through Boro’s impressive youth system, Steele made 131 appearances for the Riverside stadium outfit.

In his breakthrough season in 2010, even Arsene Wenger was impressed with his performances and was linked with a move for the former England U21 international. However, Aitor Karanka stepped into the manager’s hot seat, and put Steele as his third choice keeper.

Steel made the move to fellow Championship side Blackburn where he is slowly but steadly regaining his confidence. However, can Steele cut it at a higher level?

Kasper Schmeichel

With Leicester City doomed for the drop, making a move for this outstanding keeper will be a shrewd move by West Ham.

The Foxes are on the verge of dropping back down to the second tier of English football, and it’s safe to say Schmeichel is too good for that.

Since the turn of the year, Schmeichel has been suffering with injury and his number one spot is currently being occupied by veteran Mark Schwarzer. However, the 28-year-old has shown glimpses of brilliance this season, much like his dad Peter in his hay day.

Earning three caps for his native Denmark, Schmeichel showed exactly why he is a top class shot stopper in a 1-0 defeat against England at Wembley Stadium last year.

Despite the loss, Schmeichel pulled off a plethora of saves to ensure the Danes stayed in the game for as long as possible.

Would Schmeichel be a bargain buy if the Hammers signed him?

Brad Guzan

If Aston Villa go down, then securing the signature of Brad Guzan should be their main priority.

Despite Villa’s lack of firepower upfront, the main reason why Tim Sherwood’s men are hovering above the drop zone is because of the saves the USA international has made.

This was very evident when Aston Villa earned a draw against West Ham at Upton Park in November, as Guzan frustrated the Hammers for the majority of the match.

In 2012, Guzan was released and then re-signed on exactly the same day after Paul Lambert intervened with the decision to let the American leave.

That was probably Lambert’s best decision he made at Aston Villa. 107 appearances later, Guzan is considered one of the best shot stoppers in the Premier League.

Could Guzan reproduce the same form he did at Aston Villa if he were to sign for the Hammers?