Wolves will discover today if striker Kevin Doyle will miss the start of the season when their medical staff assess his knee injury after he was released from international duty by the Republic of Ireland.

Republic boss Giovanni Trapattoni yesterday admitted that Doyle could be struggling to be fit for the resumption of the Euro 2012 qualification campaign next month.

But of more pressing concern for Wolves boss Mick McCarthy is finding out whether Doyle will face another spell on the sidelines ahead of Saturday’s Premier League kick-off.

The 27-year-old was ruled out for nearly two months in March with a knee ligament problem suffered playing for his country against Macedonia.

Doyle returned for the penultimate game of Wolves’ battle for Barclays survival at Sunderland.

But he suffered a reaction to the injury and missed the finale against Blackburn as well as Ireland’s trio of summer matches.

s Stoke have signed former West Ham centre-back Matthew Upson on a free transfer, with the defender agreeing a two-year deal with the Potters.

The 32-year-old England international was released by the relegated Hammers after his contract expired at the end of last season.

s West Brom have signed Reading striker Shane Long for an undisclosed fee, the club have confirmed.

He becomes Baggies head coach Roy Hodgson’s sixth signing of the summer for an initial £4.5m, rising to a possible £6.5 m with add-ons.