Devastated Wolves striker Kevin Doyle today reflected on his injury blow and admitted “it could have been worse.”

The £6.5million forward is out for between four and eight weeks after tearing his medial knee ligament in the Republic of Ireland’s 2-0 Euro 2012 qualifying win over Macedonia on Saturday.

It’s understood Doyle at first feared it was his cruciate ligament, which would have meant much longer out.

He said: “It could have been a lot worse. They are saying eight weeks at the worst and it could have been more serious. I went up for the header and first felt it when I landed awkwardly.

“I knew something was wrong but it’s always difficult to know what it is and I thought if I gave it five minutes it might improve.

“But then I went to take another touch of the ball and turned and the pain really went through the knee.”

Doyle, who doesn’t want to respond to Giovanni Trapattoni’s suggestion that he wasn’t fully fit for the game to begin with, is now looking positively as he starts his rehabilitation.

He said: “If things went really well I could be back in four weeks where there would be three or four games left.

“Whatever happens I’ll be trying my best to get as fit as I can and hopefully contribute.

“I’ve felt I’ve played well recently and have been really enjoying the games.”

Doyle backed strikers Sylvan Ebanks-Blake and Steven Fletcher to fire in his absence.

He said: “I’ve no doubt about the quality of Sylvan and Fletcher. They’ve had to be patient for a long time, but I’m sure whoever comes in will do just as good a job, if not better.”

Doyle insists third bottom Wolves – currently two goals from safety – can win their Premier League survival battle without him.

He said: “I’m still really confident the lads will do what it’s required and hopefully I won’t be needed.”

Doyle revealed his frustration at missing out just when he was in such good form.

He said: “Everything is still there to play for and I wanted to be involved. It’s the timing which is the most disappointing.

“For it to come in the best part of the season when we’re starting to play really well and looking to get out of the bottom three.

“It’s really frustrating missing out.”