Doyle linked with Boro loan switch

Kevin Doyle could be on his way out of Wolves before the 11pm transfer window deadline tonight, with Middlesbrough the favourites to land the Wexford man.

Previous transfer windows have seen Doyle linked with Celtic and Aston Villa but Teeside now appears the likely destination for a man who has become largely surplus to requirements at Molineux. Boro boss Aitor Karanka is a big fan of the striker and negotiations were said to be progressing yesterday on a loan move which would convert, in the summer, into a permanent two-year deal.

Earlier this week, it emerged that Wolves had turned down a bid by Ipswich manager Mick McCarthy to get Doyle on loan, a move which would have seen the former Ireland boss reunited with the player he had originally brought to the Black Country club.