IT was a fitting honour for Jussi Jaaskelainen that Wanderers claimed a clean sheet on his testimonial day.

But any one of the 13,000 fans celebrating the Finn’s big occasion at the Reebok could tell that the blank gained at the other end of the pitch will have been a more pressing concern for Gary Megson with just five days to go before the start of the Premier League season.

Undefeated in five friendlies, Wanderers go into the new campaign in decent form with their four confirmed summer signings — all of whom were on display from the start against Hibs — looking like good business indeed.

It doesn’t take a rocket scientist, however, to see that after bolstering his defensive options considerably over the last few months, Megson knows where his squad’s weaknesses currently exist.

“We’re still in the market to bring another forward to the football club,” the manager promised. “If we could do that, I’d be happy.

“We’re not close at the moment. Getting a centre-forward is difficult anyway but getting them at a price and wages you can afford makes it even more difficult.

“But we have got to keep looking and bring one in if we can.”

There was no shortage of chances on offer for the Whites on their final dress rehearsal before the visit of Sunderland.

Ricardo Gardner and Johan Elmander were the main creative influences – although both were also guilty of spurning the opportunities that came their way.

“I thought there was some really good stuff, especially in the first half,” assessed Megson after the game.

“As usual in pre-season people started to tire and the pitch became too big. We weren’t squeezing out or getting hold of the ball up front.

“I’m disappointed that we didn’t get on the scoresheet with the chances we had. But as I said to the players, it’s not about being good on August 8, it’s about being good on August 15. That will go a long way to ensuring it.”

Hibs threatened in patches and might well have stolen a late victory had Jaaskelainen not been in exactly the right place to deny substitute David Wotherspoon.

Sunderland will no doubt pack a bigger punch next weekend and a sterner test for the new-look back four that contained three home debutants.

As usual with friendlies, much of the talk surrounded those who were not involved.

Gretar Steinsson’s exclusion for Sam Ricketts so close to the start of the season was a surprise to some — and it must be said the Wales international grabbed his chance with both hands.

Andy O’Brien and Gavin McCann were missing through injury and Mark Davies was restricted to a second-half cameo, kept out of the side by a seemingly rejuvenated Fabrice Muamba.

By next week, Megson may be able to call on a fifth fresh face who, by all accounts, has also got an eye for goal. Winger Lee Chung-Yong’s move from FC Seoul has been tied up for over a fortnight by red tape, frustrating the manager who had hoped to see the South Korea international at closer quarters by now.

“He was arriving yesterday but you’ll see he isn’t here,” Megson said.

“Apparently, we are waiting for a visa so he can come into the country but he has to collect it from Manila in the Philippines. It goes from Seoul to Manila and then he has to go and get it but why someone living in Seoul can’t just go and get it from Seoul, I don’t know.

“But that’s the position and we’re expecting him early this week.

“He’s our player and everything is sorted. We are just waiting on a visa.”