Costa Rica see red as Wolves' Kevin Doyle receives stitches

Wolves striker Kevin Doyle hasn't handed England a World Cup favour – despite his part in a Costa Rican sending off.

Doyle had five stitches inserted in a gashed head after Costa Rica defender Giancarlo Gonzalez was sent off following an elbowing incident in an aerial clash in Ireland's 1-1 draw in Philadelphia on Saturday.

Gonzalez, 26, will be banned for Costa Rica's next friendly, but is free to play his country's World Cup Group D games, starting against Uruguay on Saturday, before they face England and Italy.

Doyle, who started up front alongside Robbie Keane, headed Ireland's goal in the 18thminute when he nodded home Marc Wilson's cross, his 13th international goal.

Gonzalez was initially shown a yellow card for an elbow on Doyle which the referee changed to red, with blood pouring from the left side of the forward's head.

The challenge was swiftly condemned following the incident, which left Doyle covered in blood.

Ireland defender Richard Keogh said: "You wouldn't expect that in any game, let alone a friendly. He's got stitches.

"It was stupid, he deserved to be sent off. You don't want to see that on a football pitch.

"I hope he learns from it because he let his team-mates down and let his country down.

"It was a poor challenge - even their players were apologising for it.

"It was stupid, very stupid. I don't know what went through his head, but he deserved the red card."

Ireland skipper and former Wolves striker Robbie Keane said: "I saw the two guys going up, but I didn't really see it very clearly.

"But it's clear to see from his injury – he's got stitches - so it certainly was a bad injury."