Wolves' Kevin Doyle handed goal target
Stale Solbakken today backed Kevin Doyle to rediscover his talismanic status and set him a 15-goal target for Wolves this season.
Doyle, who turned 29 yesterday, heads to Ipswich with Wolves tonight with his confidence back.
It comes with two goals in as many games for the Republic of Ireland and a man-of-the-match performance in Sunday's 2-1 win over Leicester, during which he helped set up the second for Richard Stearman.
The former Reading striker's best return for Wolves is nine goals in 2009-10 in the Premier League.
His highest seasonal tally is 19 for the Royals in 2005-06, 18 of which came in the league, a total he matched in 2008-09.
But Solbakken believes Doyle, who is preparing to make his 99th League appearance for Wolves at Portman Road tonight, can add more than 50 per cent to his best Wolves haul of goals this term.
The Wolves boss said: "Maybe 20 goals might be too much to ask for from him because of the way he works for his team-mates and chases back.
"But if he could have 10 or 15 goals and some assists then that would be nice.
"I think he has that talismanic role back now.
"His confidence and sharpness is coming back and he's generally played better and better – that was certainly the way it looked on Sunday.
"You shouldn't underestimate his personality. He's very well respected because of the way he behaves on and off the pitch.
"He's maybe not selfish enough – he could be nastier and tougher with himself."
