Doyle fit for Malmo

Kevin Doyle has recovered fully from the hamstring injury that ruled him out of Cork City’s last gasp 2-1 win over Derry City last Friday night.

After being named in the starting team for the game the Irish U21 international pulled up towards the end of the warm-up and was replaced by Denis Behan.

Now Doyle is hoping he has done enough in training over the last week to sway manager Pat Dolan and claim a spot in the team for Cork’s Inter Toto Cup clash with Malmo FC at Turner’s Cross tomorrow night, kick-off 7 pm.

“It was nothing too serious last Friday but when the hamstring tightened up it was decided not to risk doing even more damage,” said Doyle.

“I have been training well all week and hopefully I will get the nod to start but if not then I’ll concentrate on being on the bench and making an impression when introduced.”

The Cork City squad met for a detailed briefing on Swedish side Malmo last night, watching a video of a recent Swedish league game.

“They looked professional and with an impressive stadium. They’re obviously going to be tough but we’ll be ready for them,” said Doyle.

“In the game we watched they played a 3-5-2 formation and while they did look professional we didn't see anything that would frighten us.”

While Cork are lacking in European experience with Colin O’Brien and Greg O’Halloran the only surviving members of the last Cork City team to play in Europe, the side does have plenty of international experience.

O’Halloran has also worn the green of Ireland at U21 level while Doyle and Liam Kearney represented Ireland at that level this year, as did John O’Flynn last season.

“This is a first time for a lot of us to play in Europe at club level but we have experience and we are showing good form of late.

“We are all excited about the prospect of taking Malmo on and if we can keep them at bay I think we have a great chance over the two legs.”