Kevin Doyle today admitted he is living in fear of the axe for the first time as a Wolves player.

The £6.5m striker has scored just two goals this season despite being a Premier League ever-present, although he is expected to retain his place as a lone frontman in the 4-5-1 formation ahead of fit-again Steven Fletcher.

And with boss Mick McCarthy forced into a minimum of three changes for tomorrow’s clash at Chelsea with Richard Stearman out with a broken wrist and Jamie O’Hara and Stephen Hunt suspended, Doyle confessed his fears about his own place in the side.

“With the run we’ve been on I don’t think anyone is massively staking a claim to their own place, including myself,” said the Ireland international.

“All of us are susceptible to be dropped on recent results and, for those coming in, if we get a result then it gives them a chance because positions are open.”

Doyle insists tomorrow’s daunting challenge is one where Wolves can upset the odds.

McCarthy’s men would fall into the drop zone for the first time this season if Bolton beat Everton and Wolves fall to defeat.

But Doyle was part of the side that took the scalps of Manchester United and others last season and believes this is the sort of test where Wolves can cause a shock.

“It’s games like this when people least expect us to get anything that we sometimes pick something up,” he said.

“More often than not we’ve actually risen to the challenge and perhaps played better than normal.”

Meanwhile, winger Matt Jarvis has been challenged to wow Chelsea on his return tomorrow – and keep Hunt out of the side.

“He’s had almost five brilliant seasons with us but he’s just been out of the team for a couple of weeks,” said McCarthy.

“He’s back in it tomorrow and it’s up to him to stay in there.”