Wolves manager Mick McCarthy is backing Kevin Doyle and Sylvan Ebanks-Blake to fire their team to Barclays Premier League safety this season.

Previous injury problems mean the pair will start together for the only third time on Saturday, at Stoke.

But McCarthy has no doubt they will provide the goals Wolves need to stay in the top flight.

Ebanks-Blake is fully fit after straining his hamstring on the opening day of the season against West Ham.

“We know what Sylvan’s attributes are. When he gets chances, Sylvan puts the ball in the net,” McCarthy spelled out.

“He has been clinical since he came here. Unfortunately for him, and for us, he has not had the chance to be starting every week this season.

“It has been stop-start for Sylvan so far this season – but since we signed him, he has been our talisman and is the one who has scored the goals.”

Ebanks-Blake opened his account for the season – and grabbed the first Premier League goal of his career, from the penalty spot – against Aston Villa last weekend.

McCarthy is convinced he can build on that and added: “The goal he got against Aston Villa last weekend will have been a big boost to his confidence.

“If you listen to what he has said over the week, I am stating the obvious.

“It will have given him a big boost, because that is what he is about.”

McCarthy splashed out £6.5m to sign Doyle from Reading during the summer – and already believes it is money well spent.

Republic of Ireland international Doyle has scored three goals so far this season, and McCarthy added: “I knew what I was getting when I signed him.

“He has been everything I thought he would be – and he is a great lad.

“Doyler is a good footballer – and the fans have taken to him as well, because he plays well and scores goals.

“He is such a likeable character, and anyone who has spoken to him will know that,” he added.