Wolves boss dismisses claim that Doyle turned up tired as clap-Trap

WOLVES BOSS Mick McCarthy has dismissed Giovanni Trapattoni’s concern that striker Kevin Doyle might have been tired when he joined up with the Ireland squad prior to picking up a knee injury against Macedonia that could sideline him for the rest of the season.

The Ireland manager made the point in the context of looking forward to the Macedonia game in June, saying that he hoped Irish players, such as Damien Duff, would still be in prime condition at the end of another punishing club season in England.

On Kevin Doyle, Trapattoni had said: “One of the doubts I had coming into the match, having watched Doyle in matches and in training, was he was a little tired and not on top of his game.

“Players who play all the time in England run the risk of getting to June and being empty.”

However, McCarthy says that he didn’t share the Italian’s concerns about the player.

The former Ireland captain and manager said: “Doyle was at his peak — he just got injured. He landed and twisted awkwardly. He’d been outstanding for us and went to Ireland full of beans looking forward to the game.

“There’s absolutely no suggestion that he left here anything other than 100% fit. Clearly I’m disappointed but I just take the view that it’s time for someone else to play. It’s far from ideal but we’ve got others to come in.”

Wolves will not receive any compensation from the FAI and their chances of staying in the Premier League have been reduced following Doyle’s injury.

“We get diddly squat,” said Wolves CEO Jez Moxey when asked about what compensation his club get from the FAI since Doyle picked up his injury on international duty.

“Unlike England and Scotland, the Republic of Ireland don’t offer insurance or compensation for players who get injured. Fifa’s guidelines do not require them to do so.

“The clubs have to take out insurance to protect their players if they want to.

“Kevin has gone away, done his best for his country, got injured and we will continue to pay his wages and get no compensation at all for him.”

Last night FAI spokesman Peter Sherrard outlined the association’s stance on the matter.

“There is no FIFA requirements for associations to insure players. England and Scotland are amongst the rare exceptions. We used to insure the players but changed the policy following an agreement between FIFA and the clubs around the time of the last World Cup.

“There is always give and take between FIFA and the clubs on this matter and it was felt by the majority that there was no longer an absolute necessity to insure the players who were already insured.”

He admitted that the FAI would not be changing their policy on the back of Doyle’s injury on Saturday.