PER Frandsen is in the mood to drive Wanderers on to Premiership survival at Southampton on Saturday.

The Whites will have to beat the odds to gain all three points at St Mary's but defying that is nothing new to the Great Dane.

It is something akin to mission impossible to shine in a midfield comprising Jay-Jay Okocha, Youri Djorkaeff and Ivan Campo.

But Frandsen has already won one player of the year title, come second in another and is in the running for the two top player votes still to come.

The 34-year-old has also defied the age barrier by improving his game and his fitness at an age when most players find their powers weakening.

He is one of the players who has benefited from the backroom team Sam Allardyce has brought in to improve all aspects of the squad's fitness and performance.

The so-called scientific approach is open to any players interested in taking it on board and Allardyce says Frandsen is living proof of the beneficial effects it can have on them.

Allied to his skills and determination, Frandsen has gone from strength to strength with the backing of what Allardyce calls the club's "support system".

The evergreen veteran was the outstanding midfielder on the park against champions Arsenal last Saturday and Wanderers will want him at the peak of his powers again when they look for the three points which will either secure their Premiership status or leave them needing just a point in their last game against Middlesbrough eight days later.

With the outrageous talents of Djorkaeff, Campo and Okocha in the creative area, Wanderers need someone to roll up their sleeves and stop the opposition midfield from functioning.

Frandsen does more of the less glamorous but necessary side of the midfield game than any of his team-mates, providing the oil which keeps the Wanderers' engine room running.

But he is more than just a hard working tackler as Allardyce is quick to point out.

He also plays his part in Wanderers' ever improving possession retention as well as occasionally going for goal with formidable force such as when he set up last week's stunning comeback with a piledriver which rebounded off the post for Djorkaeff to score.

"Per has always been a lot more than just a grafter," Allardyce pointed out.

"And at 34 he is better than he has ever been.

"The other players just need to look at him to see what the support system can do for you if you buy into it 100 per cent.

"It gets you faster, stronger and gives you more stamina as Per has proved.

"You cannot get all the players to buy into it 100 per cent but you can see an example of it in Per.

"He is not the quickest player at the club but he is quicker than he was. He is not the strongest but he is stronger. He doesn't have the most stamina but he has more stamina, more aerobic capacity.

"He has improved in all these areas and adding to the skills he already has he has been a big player for us. He has all that now and he is one of the most consistent performers we have had this season.

"You have more opportunities to show your skills if you are at the maximum level of fitness.

"He has been a massive player. Mr Dependable, Mr Reliable and one of the first names on the teamsheet and it is good to see that it has not gone unnoticed by our supporters who have voted for him as their player of the season."