The 29-year-old is excited to prove his worth at Dens Park after spending the previous season on a six-month loan at Tynecastle, even after just two appearances.

In his 12 outings, the former star of Dundee United only played 90 minutes for the Jambos once.

And acknowledges that his performance was below par; he is eager to make amends in dark blue.

“It was frustrating because I was really looking forward to it,” Fraser remarked.

“I felt that I got off to a good start.

“My calf started to ache again, and I had trouble getting rid of it at first.

“They might instruct me to perform a different drill, like going to the left or whatever, but since they were obviously flying at the time, I kind of understood.

Thus, obtaining consistent playing time in the middle of the pitch was difficult.

They made numerous formation changes. In the back, there would be a three and a four.

The niggle in my calf was the most annoying thing.

“I didn’t want to play catch up, so I really wanted to try and get something sorted out sooner because I couldn’t really get my fitness going.”

I’m on an excellent program thanks to [Dundee].

“To try to sort of get me up to speed as quickly as possible, I have to train and do extra work with sports science and things.”

‘Momentum is biggest thing’

Fraser played 90 minutes in a bounce game victory over Rangers last week, which helped him improve his match fitness.

“I have no doubt that I would have performed well there once I was fully fit,” he continued.

“Last season, I suffered a calf injury that caused me to miss 11 weeks of play. As a result, I was unable to gain the necessary momentum.”

“Momentum is everything in football, ask any player anywhere.

“I believe I have what it takes to go out there and show what you can be; all you need is that consistent game time.”

An old head in a young squad

Fraser’s position at Dundee is largely to be one of the older players in a young team.

This was evident as soon as Fraser replaced Simon Murray in the Premiership match against Aberdeen and assumed the captain’s armband.

He also expresses happiness about being employed in a more profound capacity than he has been in the past.

“The manager did tell me before I came in that he thought I could help in that sense, and there are a lot of good young players here,” Fraser continued.

“I’m interested in things like that.

I’ve been working on my coaching badges, so I’m interested in this going forward.

“I’ve always been interested in the coaching side of things, even though I’m only 29 and don’t talk like I’m 35 or 36.

The younger players certainly assist me because they put themselves in places where I can pass the ball to them; all you have to do is attempt to help them as much as you can.

“I would be happy to assist them in any way, whether it be on or off the pitch.”