Doyle to miss Australia friendly

Kevin Doyle will miss the Republic of Ireland's friendly with Australia next week as he continues his fight for fitness after his hernia operation a fortnight ago.

Wolves and former Republic of Ireland manager Mick McCarthy confirmed Doyle has been allowed not to join up with the Republic of Ireland, saying: "Kevin's not in the Irish squad and wouldn't be able to start on the first day (of the Premier League season).

McCarthy did suggest that Doyle had an outside chance of a short run-out in tomorrow's friendly with Real Valladolid.

"Kevin is doing alright," said McCarthy.

"He did a bit of training yesterday and might be involved in the squad

The record signing is back in training and has a chance of a brief appearance at Molineux, providing he comes through a training session today.

"It would only be a ten-minute job if so but it would be nice to have him involved

"If he does anything tomorrow it would be just to get on the pitch and just so he can get out there.

"He's not going to be doing 45 minutes though, he's nowhere near that.

But the striker will not be rushed and, given his lack of pre-season action, is still extremely unlikely to be ready to be used from the start when the Barclays Premier League season kicks off against West Ham a week tomorrow.

"He's been training as best he can after his operation but he's missed quite a lot and we need to get him fully fit before he starts."