Wolves braced for Kevin Doyle battle

Wolves were today fighting to fend off moves from Villa and Everton to prise Kevin Doyle from Molineux.

The 28-year-old striker has been earmarked for a key role in this season's Championship campaign – but the prospect of a Premier League move throws fresh doubt on his future at the club.

Doyle was watched by both Villa boss Paul Lambert and Everton's David Moyes in last week's Championship match against Barnsley and his name was on the agenda for discussion when Lambert met his Villa Park chairman Randy Lernery for key talks.

Lambert is pressing Lerner for the release of more funds to strengthen his Villa squad after a worrying start to the new season which has brought back-to-back defeats against West Ham and Everton.

Moyes has been a long-time admirer of the Ireland international and came within a whisker of buying the player in January. Now he is back for a fresh attempt which, like Villa, could be governed by price.

Neither club are in a position to splash huge cash but Wolves have Doyle locked up on contract and a £6.5m fee invested in his signature acquired three years ago.

He has also been one of the few established players at Wolves who has not actively pursued a move away this summer, instead making it clear he is content to stay and help new manager Stale Solbakken's quest for promotion.

But the revived Premier League interest, from a buoyant Everton particularly, cannot help but provide a fresh distraction.

It comes in a week in which Wolves are trying to trim their numbers significantly with Stephen Hunt the latest player to be offered the chance to leave. Doyle's Ireland team-mate, who has failed to figure in the new side being shaped at Molineux, has met with Solbakken and been cleared to find himself a new club.

"I had an open discussion with Stephen and said we'll see what happens," said Solbakken. "He's got 10 months left on his contract and we had an open discussion about that."

But Doyle is one player Wolves would be reluctant to lose – and whose departure would leave Solbakken anxious to hurry in a new striker before the transfer window closes on Friday night.