McCarthy wants Doyle to play a part against Aussies

WOLVES manager Mick McCarthy now believes his €7.6m striker Kevin Doyle would benefit from playing 45 minutes against Australia at Thomond Park on Wednesday.

The former Ireland boss had accepted that his star player would miss Wolves’ opening Premier League game on Saturday against West Ham following a hernia operation but the Wexford man has surprised the Molineux club’s medical team by playing 21 minutes in Saturday’s friendly with Real Valladolid. Doyle looked sharp against the Spaniards considering he had played just 45 minutes football since the end of last season and may have a bit part to play against the Hammers.

“When I took him off I almost thought I should put a message out to the fans or get him to put his thumb up to show that he was OK,” explained McCarthy. “I didn’t want to give them that impression, but I understood when it all went quiet that they were thinking ‘Oh dear he’s got injured’. No he hadn’t.

Flying out to Limerick was looked upon as a hindrance in the 25-year-old’s rehabilitation but McCarthy is now keen for Doyle to travel after the former Reading player worked so hard on his fitness.

“I’ve just been ringing Liam Brady to see whether they actually want him to play 45 minutes in their friendly in midweek which I think would benefit them and us as well,” explained McCarthy. “As to whether he could start for us next week, I think that’s a bit optimistic, but he could be involved. He’s keen and eager to get on the pitch.”

Doyle had a weak penalty saved by Valladolid keeper Justo Villar Viveros in the 2-0 defeat at Molineux but the result and Doyle’s miss did not worry McCarthy.

“The penalty miss doesn’t matter. It has not cost us any points. Next weekend it’s a different game altogether.”

The international with Australia at Thomond Park may prove to be useful to Doyle but McCarthy sees this international break as a ‘pain in the butt’.

“From their (international managers’) point of view, it’s really useful, but from a league manager’s point of view, to lose players who are not coming back until Thursday prior to the first game of the season, it’s a pain in the butt,” said McCarthy.