Wolverhampton Wanderers’ new signing Kevin Doyle could make his debut for his new club this afternoon as Mick McCarthy’s men kick off their pre-season campaign with a friendly against Perth Glory.
The Wolves team have been preparing for this afternoon’s game by acclimatising themselves to life “Down Under” during the club’s summer tour of Western Australia while the coaches have been putting the newcomers – including club record signing Doyle – through their paces.
Doyle admits it will be a little strange wearing black and gold after four years in the blue and white hoops of Reading but insists he is ready for the challenge. “Playing for Wolves will be a big change for me after all that time at Reading,” he confessed.
“But I am looking forward to the game because it will be my first chance to pull on a Wolves shirt.
“It was strange putting on the shirt for the press conference because it was the first time I’d worn a different team’s jersey for four years but after one or two games I am sure it will be fine and it is a nice kit!”
Doyle, an Ireland International, joined Wolves in a club record £6.5 million deal. He believes manager McCarthy will try out a few options during the game which kicks off at 12.30pm today British time.
“From past experience, you don’t play full games from the start, so we’ll probably only play half an hour or 45 minutes of the first few matches,” he said.
“You just try to get back into the movement you make in a match because we’re training hard and you need to get your head back around playing again.
“And because I’m new I need to get used to playing with new team-mates.”
Doyle believes he will enjoy his new career and says the Wolves team have made him welcome.
“It’s been good to get to know everyone,” he said. “There’s been plenty of running which is a nice shock to the body after five or six weeks’ relaxing but I need it!”
