Kevin Doyle's Wolves fitness boost

Wolves received a welcome boost today when Kevin Doyle took part in full training in the countdown to Saturday's crunch game against West Ham.

The £6.5million striker went through a full workout with the first-team squad for the first time since withdrawing last Sunday from the Republic of Ireland squad for the midweek draw in Slovakia with 'irritation' in his knee.

Doyle had emerged as a doubt for the Hammers clash, but his participation today eased fears and the 27-year-old is now expected to be fit to play.

The former Reading frontman, who was Wolves' talismanic nine-goal top scorer last season, was pictured completing the full warm-up with the main group and laughing and joking with his team-mates.

Today's return of Wolves' 10-strong international contingent meant boss Mick McCarthy had his full squad back together for the first time in two weeks, as they stepped up preparations for the weekend clash of the Premier League's bottom two.

While fears over Doyle have been eased, McCarthy will be assessing the mood and fitness of Jelle van Damme.

The £2.5million summer signing, who didn't play in Belgium's 4-4 draw with Austria in midweek, was quoted last week saying he had requested to go on loan to Anderlecht in January and would be happy to take up the option.