Bristol Rovers goalkeeper Anssi Jaakkola is back in training as he faces a race to be fit for Euro 2020.
The Finnish international has not played for the Gas since New Year’s Day after dislocating his shoulder in a 3-0 defeat at MK Dons.
His hopes of being part of the tournament appeared to be in danger, but Rovers boss Ben Garner has revealed Jaakkola – undoubtedly one of Rovers’ stars of the season – has resumed training at Cribbs.
“Anssi’s doing great,” Garner told Bristol Live on Friday. “He was back on the grass with Adrian Tucker this week, which was really good to see.
“Anssi’s a great character, he’s a really good pro, and even just having him back in the building gives everyone a lift.
“He raises standards and it has been a real positive having him back in this week.”
Jaakkola, aged 32, moved to the Mem in the summer from Reading, making 26 appearances for the Pirates thus far.
The Finn was a huge factor in Rovers’ excellent run of form before Christmas which propelled them to fourth in League One, however his hopes of being Bayer Leverkusen keeper Lukáš Hrádecký’s understudy this summer hung in the balance after undergoing surgery.
But a return to training is a boost to his chances of making the squad, and Garner insists Rovers will do everything they can to help him be fit for the Euros.
The January loan signing of Jamal Blackman from Chelsea has lessened the impact of Jaakkola’s absence, and it means there is no need to rush the Finn back either.
And Jaakkola’s desire to be involved this summer will be huge given it is the first time Finland have qualified for a major international tournament.
“That (playing at Euro 2020) is what we’re hopeful of for him,” Garner added.
“We’d love to get him back before the end of the season, but realistically it’s going to be very late in the season.
“But if we can get him back in time that he can feature in a game or two and he can go to the Euros, that will be a great experience for him and he will come back to us a better goalkeeper.”
