I've yet to hit top gear, warns Doyle

In-form Kevin Doyle has fired an ominous warning to Reading’s Barclays Premiership rivals after revealing a leg problem has prevented him hitting top gear this season.

The Republic of Ireland striker has netted in his last four games for club and country and now has seven in 14 Premiership starts in his maiden top-flight season.

The speedy 23-year-old is among the leading scorers in the country but claims it is only now that he feels ready to play at full capacity.

He told the Reading Evening Post: “My left quad is 25% weaker than my right quad. That has been the case since the summer. One week, it is fine, but then I have to miss a few training sessions because it hurts.

“Last week, I didn’t train until Thursday, but I have been doing a strengthening programme with (physio) Jon Fearn and it has been okay this week. Personally, I don’t think I’ve played my best stuff at all yet and hopefully there is a lot more to come.”

Despite Doyle’s problems, he has looked a bright star and has still bagged three goals with his "weaker" foot.

Three more have come with his right, including two penalties, and another one was a header. Now he will be aiming for number eight at home to Bolton tomorrow.

Team-mate Ivar Ingimarsson is not surprised by Doyle’s success this season.

“Kevin is proving what a great player he is,” the Royals defender said. “He never gives up. It was great skill by him to win a penalty at Fulham and then a cool head to score the winner from the spot.

“He and Seol Ki-Hyeon are playing really well to make us a threat going forward and our confidence is high for the Bolton match after beating Tottenham, Charlton and Fulham.”

Doyle has stolen the spotlight in the absence of fellow forward Dave Kitson, who damaged a knee just after scoring in the opening game of the season.

The injury has kept Kitson out ever since and, although he has shaken it off, he suffered a setback in training recently with a hamstring problem and will be missing for a few more weeks.

Reading, with centre backs Ibrahima Sonko and Ingimarsson in top form, have scored notable wins over Manchester City, Sheffield United, Tottenham, Charlton and Fulham as well as claiming a creditable draw with leaders Manchester United.

Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool and Portsmouth proved too much for them but now they face another critical test against unpredictable Bolton.

Sam Allardyce’s team ended a tough run of four defeats and a draw by beating Arsenal at home on Saturday but were outsmarted by Chelsea on Wednesday night when Michael Ballack’s goal was decisive for the Stamford Bridge side.

The Royals are hopeful midfielder Steve Sidwell (hip) and winger Glen Little (hamstring) will be fit to face despite coming off injured at Fulham.

American midfielder Bobby Convey is back in the country after a spell of rehabilitation on his damaged knee in the United States, but is unlikely to feature to feature despite being “80 to 90% ready”.

Defender Aaron Brown has suffered a setback with the damaged ankle that as kept him out all season and will miss training for another few weeks.