Doyle loss can be covered - Moxey

Last updated : 29 March 2011 By BBC Sport

Wolves chief executive Jez Moxey says the absence of Kevin Doyle gives their other strikers the chance to help keep the club in the Premier League.Doyle, 27, will be out for the next four to eight weeks with a knee injury but Moxey says he has every faith in those in the frame to replace him.

"We have Sylvan Ebanks-Blake and Steven Fletcher who are desperate to be playing more regularly," he said.

"Both have scored crucial goals for us and it gives them an opportunity."

Doyle, Wolves' top-scorer this season with eight goals, was injured during the Republic of Ireland's 2-1 win over Macedonia on Saturday, 26 March.

A subsequent scan revealed a tear to his medial knee ligament - an injury which could rule him out for the rest of the season.

Despite losing an important player at a crucial stage of their campaign, Moxey says everyone at Molineux is optimistic Doyle will be fit enough to be able to play some part in the run-in.

Fletcher cost Wolves around ?6.5m in June 2010"It's not as bad as we first thought," he told the BBC.

"Kevin's a quick healer, he's done it before so the ligament's quite thick anyway.

"We're trying to be as positive as we can and hopefully Kevin will be back before the end of the season to continue to play a part in keeping us in the Premier League," Moxey said.

The loss of Doyle while on international duty at such a crucial time has frustrated Moxey but he says everyone is staying philosophical about it.

"You'd like them (international matches) not to be at the end of the season clearly but we've got what we've got," he said.

"Players want to play for their countries and we understand that. It's just unfortunate when it happens, especially to a key player at a key time of the year," he added.

Fletcher has scored seven goals this season but has struggled to hold down a regular place in the first team since arriving from Burnley in the summer of 2010.

Ebanks-Blake came through the academy system at Manchester UnitedThirteen of his 21 Premier League appearances have been from the bench.

After scoring 25 goals in Wolves's Championship-winning season in 2008/09, Ebanks-Blake has found life in the Premier League tougher and has been on the bench for long periods.

The former Manchester United trainee found the net just twice in Wolves first season back in the top-flight in 2009/10 and has made just six of his 29 appearances in the current campaign.

But Moxey is confident both will be able to fill the gap left by Doyle.

"As one door closes for one player it opens the door of opportunity for another," he said.

"It gives them an opportunity to take that spot and keep it for themselves."

With eight games to go, Wolves lie third from bottom of the Premier League with only goal difference keeping them in the relegation zone.

Source: BBC Sport

Source: BBC Sport