IT may come as scant consolation to the hard-working Wanderer but Denmark coach Morten Olsen says Per Frandsen is unfortunate not to have won a place in his World Cup plans.

Having been assured of his fitness after his recent foot injury, Olsen named Stig Tofting in his 23-man squad for Japan and South Korea. But he stunned Bolton fans when he left out Frandsen.

He has explained to Sam Allardyce, however, that he is so well off in the creative midfield department that he could find no way of accommodating the Reebok favourite.

"Per is very, very unlucky," the Wanderers' boss said after speaking to Olsen this week. "He's blessed in that area with lots of very good players. Per's been very unfortunate."

Frandsen today completes another impressive Premiership season in Wanderers' colours. Injury cost him any chance of emulating his feat of 97-98 when he was ever-present in the top flight and subsequently played in that summer's World Cup in France, but Allardyce has made a special point of acknowledging the strides he has made, formwise and fitnesswise, this season compared to last.

"Per is a product of Bolton Wanderers' fitness, diet and strength regime," the manager said, using the 32-year-old Dane to illustrate the effectiveness of the highly-skilled support staff he ranks among the top six in the Premiership.

"We knew before the start of the season we were not as blessed as most so we were going to have to be fitter, stronger and faster than before. And Per is one who has reaped the benefit of that.

"He is slimmer than ever in his life but much stronger and fitter and that allows him to stay the course longer."

Allardyce still believes he can get his players in better shape and threatens - if that is not too harsh a word - that the regime will be "more ferocious" next season.

To that end, Wanderers' medical and support staff have spent the past few days measuring and logging the fitness levels of the players who will report back for pre-season training on July 1. And such is the awareness of top professionals these days that the manager sees no need for penalties or punishment for anyone who allows his levels drop over the close-season.

"There is enough education now and enough qualified staff at the club to lay down a regime that has to be adhered to," he explains. "They (players) know they need to do it and the levels they have to get to. They are all professional enough not to let themselves get behind.

"They all know what is required of them. In today's football world they can't do what I used to do and come back a few pounds overweight and train it off. Reducing your bodyfat is one of the longest processes. It takes time unless you do it the wrong way and lose it quickly. But if you do it that way you end up with no strength.

"Ours is an ongoing process to keep everyone at the right levels."