GUDNI Bergsson has told his Reebok team-mates they must win the tough physical encounters before relying on their quality players to win the battle for Premiership survival.

The skipper says Wanderers must find a way of eradicating the late lapses that have cost them six priceless points in recent weeks.

He is convinced they have the talent to play their way out of relegation trouble but graft - from first whistle to last - is the minumum requirement.

"We have to put in the hard work and then the talent will come through," Bergsson insisted as he looked back with mixed emotions on Saturday's 1-1 draw at West Brom when Wanderers dominated the first half, surrendered control in the second then conceded an equaliser in the second minute of overtime.

"We controlled the game pretty well but West Brom worked hard in the second half.

"But there are signs of improvement and we are looking a good footballing side at times."

Bergsson, who hopes to lead Wanderers on a second successive survival mission before retiring this summer, hopes this week's six-day warm weather training in Dubai will help deadline-day signings Salva Ballesta, Pierre-Yves Andre and Florent Laville settle into the squad as Ivan Campo and Bernard Mendy have done .

"Campo and Mendy have settled down well and now we have three more good players in the squad. I'm sure they will feature and give us more depth.

"Now we've a few days in Dubai in the sun ... we just hope the peace holds while we are away. It will be a chance to get to know the new players."

Praising the club's decision to sanction the Dubai trip during a two-week break from Premiership action, Bergsson added: "We know the situation at the club and if they want to take us away for a nice break, that's brilliant.

"It can only do us good.

"Hopefully, we'll come back fresh and ready for Manchester United on Saturday week."