Celtic consider new move for Wolves' Kevin Doyle

The Republic of Ireland was the subject of January enquiry from the Bhoys but Wolves knocked back the approach.

Lennon, however, said today: "I think he's a quality player. He is that all-round type of centre-forward that I really like. I can't talk about another club's player – I don't want to disrespect Wolves. But we wanted him.

"I'm a big admirer of Kevin. You need to look at the overall performance and what you want from him. I just felt he could make us better.

"We might have given him a lease of life. It's not just the goals he brings, he's never been prolific. I feel Kevin would be an ideal foil for the likes of Gary Hooper and Anthony Stokes."

Asked if he would make a second attempt to sign him, he added: "I'll think about it."

Doyle has been axed from the Ireland squad because he is struggling and has been affected by abortive attempts to leave Molineux, according to Giovanni Trapattoni.

The 29-year-old was a shock omission from the Italian's revised 23-man squad for the World Cup qualifiers against Sweden in Stockholm on Friday and Tuesday's visit of Austria.

Asked why Doyle – who was informed of the news via text message – was omitted, Trapattoni said: "It hasn't been a particular happy time for him.

"He wasn't in the team at Wolves, and he could also have gone to other teams but it didn't happen.

"In this moment, we have the players who give us a little bit more confidence.

"You can see, when he receives the ball, he's not himself at this moment. I wish to help him but at this moment we need to change the team."