Kevin Doyle blasts friendly schedule

Wolves striker Kevin Doyle has hit out at the 'stupid' timing of international friendlies.

Doyle, who is in the Republic of Ireland's squad for the midweek game against Norway, is unhappy that friendlies are on Wednesdays while competitive games have been moved to a more convenient Tuesday.

He said: "I'll be honest - it's probably not 100 per cent ideal. We play Wednesday night and we've got an away game with Blackpool, who are massive competitors for us, on Saturday.

"We'll get back Thursday afternoon and we barely do a warm-down on Friday because we played on Wednesday night.

"We're travelling on the bus again on Friday for Saturday's game.

"I don't know why they changed the qualifiers to Tuesday nights - which was a great idea - but left the friendlies on Wednesdays.

"It's a bit stupid. You're picked for your country and you go and I won't be thinking of Saturday. I'll do my very best.

"It's the same with everyone else but I'd sooner have it on a Tuesday night."

Doyle is still searching for his first Premier League goal of the season and is convinced his luck will turn, despite his 12-game drought.

He said: "I've had spells like this before. There's no point being depressed about it - you have to wake up tomorrow and try to go again.

"I'll keep working hard, keep doing the right things and my luck will change.

"It's different when you're playing in the Championship and you're top of the league - you always get chances to score.

"But when you're playing in a team always going to be fighting in the bottom three, it could be difficult and you're not going to score.

"Every week you have to keep going and keep working hard.

"It's better playing well than playing bad and not scoring."

Wolves team-mate Steven Fletcher believes Doyle could end his barren spell this Saturday against the Premier League's leakiest defence.

Fletcher said: "Hopefully we can take advantage of that - we've got a great bunch of strikers.

"It would be great to see Doyle get off the mark, that would be good for him."