JUSSI Jaaskelainen's rest cure could have saved him from the surgeon's knife.

The Reebok keeper has been given the green light to return to training after being told he might not, after all, need an operation to clear the back problem that has kept him sidelined for the past six weeks.

But he is unlikely to figure in any of Wanderers' remaining Premiership games.

"Jussi's seen a specialist, who has asked us to step up his training over the next week or 10 days to see if he can keep up with what we're doing," Gary Megson confirmed.

"Therefore, he might not need an operation. Fingers crossed that, in stepping it up, he can get through without any more problems."

Jasskelainen injured his back in the warm-up before the Reebok leg of the UEFA Cup Round of 16 tie against Sporting Lisbon on March 6 and was ruled out for the season a week later.

With his current contract expiring in June and no sign of any new deal being negotiated, it was assumed that Wanderers' longest serving player had made his last appearance for the club.

Aston Villa and Celtic are understood to be keen to recruit him but news that he might require surgery in the summer led to speculation that he could be left in limbo with interested clubs possibly shying away from signing a player in rehabilitation.

In any event, Megson says Wanderers will ensure Jaaskelainen is well looked after.

"This club has good people and we would do the right thing," he said.

"Hopefully, it doesn't come to him having to have the operation but, even if he does, it won't be a massive time out."