Kevin Doyle back for last two Wolves games
Monday 25th April 2011, 11:30AM BST.
Kevin Doyle today handed Wolves a massive boost after revealing he will be fit for the last two games of the season.
The £6.5m striker had been doubtful to return before the summer after tearing medial knee ligaments playing for Ireland against Macedonia on March 26.
But he started running again last week and now believes he will be ready after the Black Country derby on May 8 and is targeting the trip to Sunderland on May 14 and the home game against Blackburn eight days later.
Asked if he will play again this season, the 27-year-old said: “That’s the aim at the moment.
“I’ve had a good week with the physios running and we’re looking at me being available for the last two games. Hopefully that will be the case and I can have some impact on the rest of the season.”
Doyle has missed the last three games, during which Wolves have won a point – Saturday’s 1-1 draw against Fulham – after losing 4-1 and 3-0 to Newcastle and Everton respectively
But the former Reading forward revealed there is plenty of confidence in the camp and claims the players believe they can win all of their five remaining games.
Wolves are a point from safety and go to Stoke in their game in hand tomorrow seeking to get out of the bottom three.
“There’s no game we don’t think we can win away or home. That’s why we’re still so positive,” said the striker. “Everyone believes we’re going to get out of it.
“It’s in our own hands. The atmosphere has been very good. We’ve been in and around this situation for the last two seasons, so we’re well used to it.
“Everyone’s still positive. We have decent games against teams who are in a similar position to us and it’s up to us – if we can get results in some of those games we’ll stay up. We don’t have to rely on anyone else.”
* Wolves still have around 800 tickets left of their 2,900 allocation for tomorrow’s Staffordshire derby. It is all-ticket and the ticket office reopens tomorrow from 10am-2pm. There will be no entry to the Britannia Stadium without a ticket.
Latest Blog — Same again for West Brom
What a strange two weeks it has been since our last game. I haven’t looked over my neighbour’s fence with as much interest since Pamela Anderson moved in next door and regularly used her trampoline, writes Albion blogger Jarrod Hill.
Albion Blog
Business Awards
Book a Business Awards table
Join our celebrations of the region's best in business on Thursday March 22 - book your table now
Lifestyle
Interactive Dining Out map
Hundreds of reviews by the Express & Star and Shropshire Star's teams to help you decide where to eat.
entertainment
All the film reviews
Before you plan a trip to the pictures, get our critics' verdicts on all the latest movie releases
OUR NEW APP
Get the new E&S app
Download the Express & Star’s new app to your iPad or iPhone to get one week of access to our digital newspapers absolutely FREE.

Will it be to late by then?
Gutted we`re in this mess. In february after we beat man u and the albion were in free fall I envisaged us sending them down at the mol in may. Sadly now it looks like it`ll be the other way round.
Credit to the baggies, they have bought far superior players to us and now its showing. We needed to rebuild and strengthen over the last 2 years but instead we`re stuck with basically the same team that took us up. Can we loan odemwingie, scharner and molumbu for 5 matches now that they are safe?
Report abuse
Thats a great photo to a Wolves supporter…
Kevin, I love your attitude and obvious sincerity. I hope your right, 4 wins would be great and do it, five is heaven. Make it so.
UTW
Report abuse
“I do not want a good General, I want a lucky one” – Napoleon
Hey fellow bloggers- one point out of the last 3 games and we are still in with a shout. We have won crucial games and lucky Mick can do it again. A point against Stoke and we are out of the bottom three.If Doyle can get fit then we can still grind out results!
We aren’t winning but neither are other teams around us. Lets leave the inquest until the end of the season!
Report abuse
The Wolves players think they can win all five matches.
That’s it then ….sorted.
I also think I can win £1.7m on the lottery this saturday.
Two draws from Stoke and Blues would set us up fine for the Baggies match, but, Mick, please stop gambling with players who are recovering from long term injuries. No Guediora, no Kiteley. Hammill on the wing please.
Ironically one of the players who has struggled during the last few matches could play an important part at Stoke with their aerial assaults. Berra
Report abuse
This will be welcome boost if he can get back to full match fitness.
We will need all our best players available for the remaining games if we are to avoid the drop.
Report abuse
Even without scoring that many goals this season, it is plan to see just how important Doyle is for wolves. Our whole system relies on his ability to hold the ball up and allow others to get forward in support. Here’s hoping for a miracle and we have him back sooner than the last 2 games. UTW.
Report abuse
Too little too late!
He may be able to hold the ball up but what we need is GOALS!!!
Stick with Fletcher and SEB and get them ready for the Chumpionship next season and lets recoup our money on Doyle (if possible)
Can’t see us getting anything at Stoke tomorrow and does anybody really think we’re gonna beat the tesco’s at our place? you just know it aint gonna happen so lets prepare for the innevitable
Report abuse
Hows he going to be match fit for those 2 games if he does make it back?
He would need a couple games to get back match sharp and by then it may all be too late :\ i would stick with fletch he scores more aswell
I think fletch did well saturday and is a lot better then fat boy SEB
Report abuse
Great news we have missed him
Report abuse
1 question with a few games to go, can anyone explain to me how booing and getting on players backs from the kick off, is going to help them have a good game? There may be players in the team that for some reason some fans don’t like. But for 90 mins were supposed to support our team not sit there like a bunch of spoiled brats because MM hasn’t picked the players we wanted him to pick. At this stage of the season its not about us being entertained, its about points and staying up. We need get behind who ever is in a gold and black shirt for 90 mins. UTW.
Report abuse
Hi Ho Silver Lining…..!!!
Report abuse
BUY YOUR TICKET FOR STOKE!!!!
There must be enough whingers on here to fill those last 800 seats, go on do something positive, actually come and support the players when they need you most.
Report abuse
that’s the best news we’ve had for ages!
Report abuse
Get real Kev, it will take fantasic uplift in performance to get another win this season. I can see us getting a couple of draws but not winning as we cannot defend!!!
Report abuse
Its no coincidence that our worst performances of the season have come while Doyle has been out injured. Its not a good thing having to rely on 1 player to improve the way a team plays, but Doyle has it all in his locker, and having watched him do the stuff that people probably dont give credit for, such as close defenders down all over the pitch, hold the ball up brilliantly, and chase every lost cause, its no wonder why we have struggled to adapt to his absense.
In the fulham game, people are saying Fletcher was brilliant. He was good and showed some real touches of class, but theres no denying that had Doyle played, he may have been a bit deeper allot of the time, but would have seen allot more of the ball, allowing us to keep posession more, and preventing fulham from having as many attacks as they did. Hopefully if he does come back into the team in the final 2 games, we will get 2 wins, that will possibly keep us up. Untill then we need the rest of our players, to really improve starting with stoke.
Report abuse
MASSIVE boost.
Report abuse
Come on Kevin, we need you!
Report abuse
There’s no point lacing up their boots if they don’t think they can win any game. Unfortunately, actually doing it is a different matter.
Report abuse
Can he return for the West Midland derby against ALBION, please, to save us BAGGIES from Laughingwolfs moaning about injured players. He believes only wolves have any. When we knock the nails in your Premiership coffin, it will be all the sweeter.
BOING~~~~BOING~~~~JtH.
Report abuse
NO.1 I cant remember you beating us this season :s or any season in my living memory.
Report abuse
He may be a much needed bonus for the Sunderland and Blackburn matches, but, in the meantime we have three local derbies to get something out of.
Some quite incredible criticism of Karl Henry on the last thread. Against Fulham the guy was having to do the work of O’Hara and Milijas who obviously thought it was a friendly. Sure Henry made a couple of errors but, he put in some amazing covering and tackling, even finding time to set up the goal. These people should watch with out prejudice, that’s if they’re at the match at all.
Guediora is NOT a wide player and he gave Stearman (who had a decent game, but, he was a RB at Leicester remember) little cover.
Cannot understand MM’s thinking on this one. Why bring on Kiteley who clearly isn’t up to speed yet when he has Hammill on the bench ?
Come on Mick, we know you have a sneaky read of these message boards. Give us an answer.
Report abuse
That’s a really welcome boost. Keep it going Kevin, great to have you back at any time.
Report abuse
16 laughingwolf
I agree, but after Saturday will be harsh to leave Fletcher out.
Hey Ho
15 mick will save us (I hope)
You are deluded to think that Doyle is the answer to all our problems.
Report abuse
It wont make a scrap of difference if Kev comes back or not, HE DOESNT SCORE. Fletcher played just as good as Kev up front on his own against Fulham, but with one BIG difference
FLETCHER CAN SCORE!!!!
Why oh why do us wolves fans keep on putting up with watching this crap week in week out??????
Someone please explain this to me.
WOLVES 4 LIFE
Report abuse
i think having 3 derbys is perfect as form goes out the window. And with all the injurys to sundland and venky boys in free fall i can see us being ok. but if we stay up i would change the manager and coaches .
Report abuse
Lets make the most of him now because come end of May he will gone. Shame we can’t say that about this excuse for a manager.
Report abuse
Fletcher was outstanding on Saturday.
Man of the match with Karl Henry a close second.
UTW
Report abuse
No it is no coincidence the form since Doyle has been injured has nosedived, but speaking as a fan of MM I feel these results occurred because MM seemed to panic into silly selections and tactics.
All he needed to do was replace Doyle with Fletch but what did he do- put SEB as the lone striker Nooooo!! Then because it didn’t work went 4-4-2 Nooooooo!! Then replaced Hammill with Guedioura Nooooo!!!
In 2 games we conceded 7 goals due to this then panic hit again, he had to change the defence, now shirt on confidence after all the hard work that had been achieved since the turn of the year.
SO Mick, please stick with the 4-5-1, with Fletch keep SEB on bench, for Christ sake bring back Hammill and if Guedioura can be taught positional discipline replace Milijas’ in the middle with him( he spent enough time there Saturday)and tell O’Hara to play his game instead of stropping like Saturday.
Leave Kites for next season, Hunt must be back up to Hammill and Jarvis if fit- Kites looks unfit or out of his depth.
Safety will be achieved!!
Report abuse
Regarding Kites, I agree with WolfyTor74 – leave him for next season. He is not ready for the type of games we now face.
Report abuse
It goes without saying that having Doyle back for the last couple of games of the season will make a difference, given how central he is to how we play (4-5-1 with runners from deep etc).
However, we’re in the relegation zone – where we’ve been for the vast majority of the last two seasons – not because of injuries to players, but because McCarthy has failed to grasp the fact that we are not good enough WHERE IT MATTERS.
It’s all well and good for us to play some decent football in some of the games this season and for Mick to quote Alex Ferguson – saying we’re in a false position etc, but the reason why we’re in the position we are is because – when it comes to both penalty areas; whether it be scoring and particularly defending goals – we are not good enough!
Regardless of the formation we play, our first requirement – and which is why Hodgson has been able to secured PL safety for the Albion within a few weeks – is to ensure that we are difficult to beat, and that has rarely been the case in the last 2 seasons. Whether we choose to play 4-4-2/4-5-1 or
4-4-1-1, we have been far to easy to beat.
McCarhty’s naivity, coupled with a good slice of stubborness, to buy and pick players in central midfield and across the whole defence who lack real experience and PL quality has cost us dear – and I just hope that there are 3 teams who are even worse than us come the end of the season.
Report abuse
to the gloating baggies on here( you know who you are), the second word is off.
to all the so called fans/supporters who start moaning at the slightest bit of pressure, wffc does’nt need you.
maybe a small club in sandwell could do with you. utw.
Report abuse
No.10.The Magic Wanderer- well said I agree entirely.
No.24 – perhaps it’s because we have season tickets and always support our team.WOLVES 4 LIFE-it’s doesn’t sound like it.
Report abuse
To be fair Fletcher was outstanding against Fulham and if he continues this way should start … AHEAD OF DOYLE
Report abuse
Sorry, I should have said the FINAL nail in your coffin. I must improve for next season when I write my knowledgeable comments about the nPower championship matches from our dizzy heights of the Premiership. Bye bye Wolves.
That is of course if the mod allows.
BOING~~~~BOING~~~~JtH.
Report abuse
Billy blochhead talkin rubbish again cant wait to hear what you have to say after tomorrow
Report abuse
31) reap what you sow my friend, as for your moaning fans like everything else you have, I wouldn’t want to swap a thing! why would we?
Must be hard when a “small” club as you so eloquently put it like us is leaving such a “massive” club as you in the shade!
Report abuse
1 no 3 Napoleon used to ask before appointing anyone to a senior officer position ‘is he lucky?’.Mind they were not so lucky at Waterloo,and needed to be very very lucky to survive the retreat from Moscow.But here is hoping for a lucky win tomorrow.
2 It is strange that so many fans can see the problems in playing a not fully fit Guedioura,Kightly and Ebanks,yet they still get picked.Perhaps he thinks he has no better options.
Report abuse
24. Absoulutely spot on AGAIN. I love Doyle BUT give me fletcher over him everyday of the week, fletcher did what Doyle can do Saturday only he scores goals with it 2, his feet are so quick, he is skilful and he is a natural goalscorer. The future is Stephen fletcher!
Report abuse
This is not a knock I really couldn’t care less what happens to your club but I’ve just read that Mick thinks the game tonight isn’t as important as it may seem.”If we loose 2 we might win the last 2 and still survive” which could turn out to be correct but it struck me as a bit too laid back.
Truly the isn’t a knock but what do you all think
Adéu
Report abuse
Sorry! this not the and ?
Adéu
Report abuse
KennyHibbit’scorcher77
We not gloating we’re replying to the hilarious
statements that some of your fans spout!
Adéu
Report abuse
(34)
If you are going to ape my nom de guerre. Please copy it properly. You’re showing yourself up. It’s: JACK thé HAT. Get it.
BOING~~~~BOING~~~~JtH.
Report abuse
31. oneofthechucklebrothersscorcher77
If you don`t want gloating then don`t, as in do not, as in stop posting drivel on our pages
Heres just a few from the past year to make you squirm;
May 2010 – Wolves are now an established prem club and albion are light years behind (actually the other way round isn`t it)
July 2010 – we`ve signed moulokolo, hunt, van damme, fletcher and albion have signed no one. Great business by MM. (you didn`t realise Scharner, tchoyi, odemwingie, shorey and Reid were waiting in the wings, or that you`d bought a bag of nails did you?)
August 2010 – albion lose 6-0 at chelsea and will go down with record low points total while `we` start our assault on europe with a victory against stoke. (that was pretty accurate by you guys wasn`t it)
Feb 2011- albion sack a great manager and appoint a liverpool failure who`s past it. (oh now how you wish your board had the same foresight)
etc… etc…
So if you can`t take it then don`t dish it because what goes around comes around as you are now finding out…BIG TIME.
Report abuse
kev in mallorca – I think he is trying to play down the match to avoid adding pressure on the players that may not help theyre performance. Allot of managers do it, i think with the current squad it is probably the right thing to do aswell, as most the squad are young, they might not deal with added pressure as well as a seasoned professional.
Report abuse
Of course he will be back, to get in the shop window to find a new club for next season.Also, what’s Henry going on for, geeing up the opposition with his rants in the press, what a berk, has Muppet put him up to it to deflect attention from how bad a manager he is ! Even funnier, Mr X-tra 1.5% SEB, not so gobby now are you? Oh I see you’ve suddenly got a twinge, so no more embarrassing cameos again this season fat boy!RIP Wolves’ Premier league status, see you back in 2212 !
Report abuse
Just how much money have Wolves wasted this season?
I’m looking forward to the derby game, oh what fun, for us anyway!
Report abuse