Wolverhampton Wanderers suffered defeat to Spanish La Liga club Real Valladolid in their final pre-season friendly before their Premier League campaign kicks off against West Ham United at Molineux next weekend.
Clinically taken strikes from Haris Medunjanin on the half-hour mark and Asier Arranz Martin a minute from the end of play secured victory for Valladolid whose goalkeeper Justo Villar Viveros saved a weak penalty from Kevin Doyle.
It took the gloss of an encouraging second-half cameo for Doyle who faces a fitness race to be involved in Saturday’s top flight opener at home to the Hammers after recently undergoing surgery on a hernia problem.
Despite Doyle erring from the spot-kick, Mick McCarthy was impressed with the contribution of the Republic of Ireland striker, whose home debut was deliberately restricted to a 21-minute run out by the Wolves manager.
McCarthy introduced Doyle as a replacement for Sylvan Ebanks-Blake, who was suffering with a sore foot, on the hour mark, although last season’s top scorer is expected to be fine for next Saturday.
“Twenty minutes Doyle had, just about,” said McCarthy.
“Sylvan’s foot was sore and it was causing him problems. I don’t think he was as mobile as he would be.
“So I thought I’ll take him off and put Doyle on – it doesn’t have to be for the last 20 minutes.
“I thought to be fair it was better putting him on earlier because sometimes the game can be dead in the last 20 minutes.
“I thought he had a really positive effect on the game Doyle when he went on,” he said.
“When I took him off I almost thought I should put a message out to the fans or get him to put his thumb up to show that he was okay. I didn’t want to give them that impression, but I understood when it all went quiet that they were thinking ‘Oh dear he’s got injured’. No he hadn’t.
“I always intended on putting him on just for 20 minutes so it was better that he went on and off when he did and he did well.”
Wolves (4-3-3): Hennessey; Foley (Halford 46), Stearman, Craddock, Ward (Elokobi 67); Edwards, Henry, Milijaš (Jones 71); Keogh, Ebanks-Blake (Doyle 60 (Vokes 81), Jarvis (Surman 65). Subs not used: Hahnemann, Ikeme, Friend, Zubar, Collins, Hill.
Real Valladolid (4-3-3): Viveros; Munoz (Fernandez 65), Vegas, Amposta, Umpierrez (Izeta 46); Robres, Medunjanin (Pacos 65), Romero; Gil (Martin 46); Goncalves, Barrero (Camarero 65). Subs not used: Ovejero.
Referee: Mark Clattenburg (Co Durham).
Booked: Goncalves 27 foul.
Attendance: 10,513.
