PER Frandsen put his World Cup disappointment behind him today insisting: "Helping Wanderers stay in the Premiership was more important."

The Reebok midfielder, outstanding in the battle for top flight survival, was overlooked when Denmark boss Morten Olsen named his 23-strong squad for Japan and Korea.

He had hoped to be selected for his second successive World Cup Finals but Olsen, who included Frandsen's new Bolton team-mate Stig Tofting in his squad, boasts an abundance of midfield talent and could not accommodate him.

"I can't say I am not disappointed," Frandsen admitted. "The biggest thing in football is to go to the World Cup but it was not to be.

"It was always going to be close so I can't say I'm too surprised."

Four years ago, after suffering the heartbreak of Premiership relegation with Wanderers, Frandsen went to the World Cup with Denmark - an irony that was not lost on the popular 32-year-old, who ended the season impressively.

"It was good to go to France 98," he recalled, "but this time it was more important to keep Bolton Wanderers in the Premiership than go to the World Cup."

Sam Allardyce, who claims Frandsen is playing better now than at any time under his management, said: "I am disappointed Per hasn't gone with the national team because he has had an excellent season - certainly his best while he's been with me."

Wanderers are close to agreeing a "six-figure" fee for the sale of defender Dean Holden to Oldham, where he spent the season on loan.