Published: Thursday, 1st May, 2008 09:00
Brave Doyle facing Spurs dilemma
By Anthony Smith
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Bravery: Kevin Doyle will make his own decision on whether to play against Spurs following a family tragedy.
KEVIN Doyle will be left to decide for himself whether to play in Saturday’s vital home game with Tottenham.
The heartbroken striker’s family are yet to set a date for the funeral of Doyle’s cousin, Lorraine Flood, and her family who were killed out in an apparent murder-suicide last weekend.
The Republic of Ireland striker, pictured, was told the news on Saturday morning but decided to play in the 0-0 draw at Wigan Athletic.
He was due to return home and be with his family this week but he has not travelled while police investigate the tragic deaths.
And manager Steve Coppell praised Doyle for the “incredible courage” he has shown throughout the harrowing ordeal.
“Kevin will go back (to Ireland) for the funeral on Friday,” he explained.
“These things affect people in different ways. In some respects he’s glad to be around the training ground because it helps take his mind off things.
“He is a strong boy. Nobody knows what must be going through his mind right now.
“We will see what happens between now and Saturday but the decision on whether to play is still with Kevin.”
Mrs Flood, 38, her husband, Dermot, 41, and their two children, Mark six, and Julie, five, were found dead at their home in Enniscorthy, County Wexford.
Gardai are attempting to piece together exactly what happened but reports suggest Mr Flood may have shot his wife before starting the fire at the house which killed their children, and then turning the gun on himself.
Royals coach Kevin Dillon said: “It’s difficult to put into words. There is nothing you can say to Kev. It’s a personal tragedy to him.
“It’s a tragic loss, it’s absolutely devastating for his family. He’s a strong lad and I admire the kid. He doesn’t say a lot and he’s such a respectable lad. It’s terrible.”
The chances are Doyle, who has not scored in 19 Premier League games, will start on the bench meaning fit-again Glen Little could make his first start of the season on the right of midfield.
It appears the rest of the team will remain virtually the same, with Leroy Lita and Dave Kitson up front.
Asked if Coppell was leaning towards starting with Little, despite the 32-year-old’s injury problems, he admitted:
“Yes I’m tempted, very much so. He has a slight calf strain but he will be ready.
“There is a lot of expectation on Glen from the fans but he is a professional player, he is paid well to play and win games for us.
“I have no doubt he can perform under pressure. It’s not a problem for us or him.”
The Royals desperately need to rediscover their goalscoring form after going five games without finding the net.
It is now seven hours and 41 minutes since Andre Bikey scored in a 2-1 win against Birmingham and the draw at Wigan secured the only point gained in the month of April.
Yet in many ways Tottenham could provide the perfect opposition for a side fighting for their lives.
Juande Ramos’ team have been accused of being on summer holiday since their Carling Cup triumph. They have drawn their last four games 1-1 and appear to have nothing left to play for.
In the past Coppell’s side have hardly struggled either, scoring four times in a 6-4 defeat at White Hart Lane in December and twice in a 2-2 FA Cup tie, before going down 1-0 in the replay to a Robbie Keane goal.
The Royals will also draw strength from the memory of their stunning 3-1 home victory against the north Londoners last season when Nicky Shorey, Steve Sidwell and Doyle got the goals.
Dillon stated: “Tottenham is a big game for us and we’ve had some good games against them. We beat them last year at our place and lost at theirs.
“It’s a massive game and then it’s Derby on the last day. We don’t really want to be playing them to stay up but it could be the case.
“But we’re still in a better position than Fulham and Bolton. There is a lot of pressure on them. We know exactly who they’ve got to play and we have. If we win our last two games we are safe.”
Lita is yet to score in the Premier League this season, but he bagged three goals for Charlton before he was recalled.
“I thought he did well at Wigan,” said Coppell. “He made one terrific run when he nearly scored and we need more from him and everybody else.
“But Leroy has been bubbly and buoyant since he’s come back and we’re delighted he is here with us again. He’s got a big role to play.”
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