Kevin Doyle admits he was touched to receive a warm reception from Reading fans at last night's friendly and played down the significance of Wolves' first defeat of pre-season.

 

Doyle was greeted with a loud cheer when his name was read out prior to kick off at the Madejski Stadium, and played the first 45 minutes of the 2-1 defeat.

 

The result followed three successive wins for Wolves in pre-season, but Doyle believes they will be on song when it matters for the big Barclays Premier League kick-off in two-and-a-half weeks time.

 

"It was great to hear the fans' reaction last night," he says.

 

"I was delighted to come back and it was great that the gaffer gave me 45 minutes.

 

"I've got a lot of happy memories at Reading and it's the place that made me as a footballer.

 

"Reading looked excellent all around the pitch and if they play like that in the Championship they will be there or thereabouts.

 

"We're a little bit behind Reading in terms of our fitness because they've played more games than us and are a week in front of us.

 

"But we're certainly getting there and we've still got three games to get us into the shape we need to be for the start of the season."

 

Doyle was paired with Sam Vokes last night and Mick McCarthy has been ringing the changes with his forward combinations during the friendlies to be ready for all possibilities.

 

And the Irish striker believes all the frontmen will need to remain versatile depending on the formation and tactics used on the day.

 

"We will need to be flexible," he said.

 

"I've played up front on my own and wide of a three and Fletcher's done the same.

"We've also played in a two and Sylvan the same and Vokesey the same.

"There are some top strikers here who all want to play but that's good because it's competition and keeps us all on our toes.

"It gives the manager a good headache.

 

"Fletch has been a welcome addition and it was brilliant we went out and spent the money to get him at the start of the summer.

 

"And not only him but other good players as well.

 

"We need to strengthen to keep ourselves in the league and it's a good sign that we've brought the players in that we have.

 

"I don't know if we'll bring in another one or two but we needed to do what we've done to stay where we are or to improve."

 

Doyle has a double ambition for the season ahead - to improve both individually and help Wolves progress as a team.

 

"I want to improve on last year," he said.

 

"I had a very good first season in the Premier League with Reading and maybe you take it for granted a bit and I learned from what happened in the second season.

 

"I just want myself and us to do what we did with Wolves last season and just keep trying to improve.

 

"It won't be easy, I know that from experience after what happened with Reading that the second season is always very difficult."