Doyle sets sights on Ireland return

INJURED Wolves striker Kevin Doyle has set his sights on playing for the Republic of Ireland in three internationals at the end of the season.

Doyle has virtually ruled himself out of the remainder of Wolves’ battle for Barclays Premier League survival with a knee ligament injury suffered on international duty last month.

But he is hoping to return for his country in late May, even though he admits his club boss Mick McCarthy may not be too happy.

Doyle told Sky Sports: “If I don’t play for Wolves again this season, I don’t suppose the manager will be too happy to see me get fit and disappear for my country. But I’m going to try to make it.”

The Republic face Northern Ireland and Scotland in the Carling Nations Cup on May 24 and 29 respectively and then tackle Macedonia in a Euro 2012 qualifier on June 4.

Wolves have switched to a 4-4-2 formation in Doyle’s absence for the past two games and have been thrashed 4-1 by Newcastle and 3-0 by Everton. But the 27-year-old is adamant the system is not to blame for Wolves’ slide back into the bottom three. He said: “We played 4-4-2 against Liverpool and Manchester City and beat them. It’s not the formation. We’ve played 4-5-1 and been successful. We’ve done it with both formations.”

Meanwhile Ireland’s Kevin Kilbane wants to stay with Huddersfield Town next season but insists he is concentrating on helping the Terriers gain promotion from Division One, England’s third tier.

The 34-year-old who can play left-back or midfield is contracted to Hull City until the summer of 2012, though he would join Town, where he has been on loan since January, at the first opportunity.

“It’s a pleasure to be at Huddersfield, and I’d love to extend my stay if possible, but at this moment, promotion is the important thing,” said the former West Brom and Sunderland player who has earned 109 senior caps.

“I believe it’s within our grasp and we have to take the opportunity, because we certainly have the talent and character. When we get to the end of the season, we’ll see what happens, but until then, my priority is to help get this club into the Championship.”

Huddersfield lie third, on the same points as Southampton in second spot who have two games in hand.

“We have to ensure we get as many points as possible in the last five games to keep up the pressure,” said Kilbane.