Wolves boss Mick McCarthy today revealed he alone took the decision to rest Kevin Doyle at Chelsea – and insisted the £6.5m record signing will be better for it.

Doyle’s absence from the squad for Saturday’s 4-0 defeat at Stamford Bridge has sparked a debate among fans that escalated following the striker’s studio appearance on TV’s Goals on Sunday.

The former Reading striker is set to return to the starting line-up for Sunday’s high noon showdown against Birmingham at Molineux.

And McCarthy insisted the decision was his to allow the 26-year-old the chance to fully recover from playing in the Republic of Ireland’s draining World Cup play-off marathon against France that concluded just three days before the trip to Stamford Bridge.

“Apparently, there was some suggestion that poor old Doyle couldn’t play on Saturday and yet was OK to work on the sofa appearing on TV on Sunday,” said the boss.

“The truth is I pulled him out of the game because I want him to play the next two matches.

“Doyle would have wanted to have played on Saturday. I did not let him play.

“If I’d have played him after he’d played 120 minutes in midweek and then he’d have got a little hamstring or calf strain, and we still get beat 4-0, that would have been completely and utterly ridiculous.

“He would have liked to have played on Saturday to get it out of his system, but I’m not so sure being on the pitch and chasing would have got anything out of his system – except get more knackered than he already was.

“He’s fine. He wants to play. I’ve no worries about Doyley.

“He’s a top player. And do you know what? He will be better for missing that game on Saturday.”

Meanwhile, Wolves have advised fans to arrive early for Sunday’s clash against Blues.

No tickets will be sold at the turnstiles but the ticket office will open from 9am to sell remaining seats for a game not being televised.

Prepaid tickets are available from the collection office, also opening at 9am.

West Midlands Police have asked city centre pubs to stay closed and no alcohol will be sold to Blues fans inside Molineux.