Kevin Doyle's fitness at Wolves sparks row

Kevin Doyle's fitness has sparked a row with Molineux boss Mick McCarthy after Ireland manager Giovanni Trapattoni claimed he played "like somebody in a desert" for Wolves.

Trapattoni has to decide if the £6.5m striker or Albion's Shane Long partners LA Galaxy's former Wolves striker Robbie Keane for Friday's vital Euro 2012 clash away to Andorra.

The Italian initially dropped Doyle for Long in the run-up last month's qualifier against Slovakia, claiming the Wolves man wasn't fit following the medial ligament damage sustained on international duty last March, even though he has played all seven Premier League games this season.

Doyle, who told friends he was fully fit at the time, only made the starting line-up when the Baggies frontman was ruled out with a calf problem.

"You saw Doyle in the last game. He wasn't fit, not in condition," said Trapattoni.

"He (McCarthy) used Doyle because he has only Doyle. He stays alone up front a lot for his club. I see him and he is like somebody in a desert."

Former Ireland boss McCarthy hit back: "Trapattoni says Doyle should be playing for a bigger club and is not fit.

"Well, if he doesn't play for Ireland this week, it's because the manager doesn't fancy him. Doyle is 100 per cent fit, no question about it – just like he was for their last game."

Trapattoni was at Molineux for Wolves' 2-1 defeat on Saturday and is happy that Doyle, who had an effort disallowed in stoppage time, is fully fit.

"One month ago, he was not strong, but he looks well," he said. "He said to me, 'Now I am fit and well'."

"I never look for excuses. The problem is that he was out for two months."