Doyle focus on big game
Wolves boss Mick McCarthy is confident record signing Kevin Doyle will be unaffected by speculation linking him big money moves - ahead of his side's vital relegation clash with Burnley tomorrow.
Doyle cost £6.5m when he made the move from Reading to Molineux last summer and has quickly made a big impression.
He is due to lead the line for Wolves in their clash with the Clarets at Turf Moor - one of the teams below Wolves in the Barclays Premier League table.
He has netted six goals and also led the attack effectively as the only out-and-out striker in recent games.
The Republic of Ireland player has been linked with Everton and Sunderland, following on from reports that Aston Villa were keen to sign him last summer.
McCarthy said: "Speculation does not bother me and it will not bother Doyley. He will just get on with his job like he always has done.
"I don't think it will interfere with his performances at all. It is just part and parcel of football.
"If you have a great season, then people talk about you going, here, there and everywhere. It is kind of flattering but you just get on with your job.
"Kevin has been excellent for us since he came here and proved to be worth every penny we spent on him."
Doyle is heartened by the news that McCarthy will bring in major signings if Wolves manage to stay in the top flight.
He said: "The manager has said to me, and a good few of us, that if we stay up this season there will be a lot of strengthening and adding to the squad in the summer.
"That is all the players want here. If we sign another striker in the summer, that's competition for me.
"Hopefully that will push me, Sylvan (Ebanks-Blake) and other people on again.
"The aim for all of us is to stay in the Premier League and improve and push on massively."
McCarthy is still weighing up whether to recall striker Chris Iwelumo.
By John Curtis
