A LOSER'S medal was scant consolation for the effort Wanderers put in and the entertainment they provided en route to the Carling Cup final but even that small token came as an unexpected bonus for Kevin Poole.

Three years ago he feared his career was tailing off... at best in the lower divisions, possibly even in the non-league ranks.

But today, although at 40 the oldest player in the Premiership, he is still going strong and has no plans to hang up his gloves.

"I just didn't expect to be in the position I'm in now," he said, looking back on the move he made in October 2001 when, having been released from his contract by Birmingham City, he answered Wanderers' SOS.

"When I left Birmingham I thought that was it; I'd have to drop down. But Bolton came in and I've thoroughly enjoyed the last three seasons. It's been fantastic."

Sam Allardyce was initially looking only for a stop-gap measure when he scoured the bargain basement for cover for Jussi Jaaskelainen and Steve Banks. All Poole was doing at the time was coaching the Birmingham academy keepers.

He still passes on the benefit of his vast experience to the Blues' kids but, two and a half years on, he remains Jaaskelainen's trusted understudy and is hoping to be around for some time to come.

"Nothing's been said yet," he says, as he approaches the end of his current contract. "There's quite a few people whose contracts are up and I think the gaffer's going to take his time and deal with them one by one.

"But, fingers crossed, I've done all right this season when I have played. I haven't let him down and I hope things will be all right for next year.

"There's still a few years left in me yet; I'm just a spring chicken! I wake up every morning and I feel all right. I do feel fit and, as long as I'm like that, I'll carry on."

Poole has always had to commute from his home in the Midlands but, with a little help from Allardyce, he copes well with the travelling.

"The gaffer's great because he just lets me come in three days a week," he explains. "Because Fred Barber (Wanderers' goalkeeping coach) also coaches West Brom twice a week, I tend to do Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays up here and two days with Fred down there."

Poole, who took a few painful knocks helping the reserves record only their second win of the season against Birmingham on Tuesday, may face competition for his position as Wanderers' number two from Donovan Ricketts but that does not stop him encouraging the giant Jamaican international.

"He's coming on," he says of the 6ft 6 ins Reggae Boy. "I first saw him in the summer at Fred's 'goalie week' and he was a bit raw then, he's still a little bit raw but he's been here two or three months and he is getting better."

Poole, who took a few painful knocks helping the reserves record only their second win of the season against Birmingham on Tuesday, had the added satisfaction of seeing one of his academy graduates - Colin Doyle - in action at the other end.

"I was there when he came through," said the old master. "He's a promising lad."