Wolverhampton Wanderers manager Mick McCarthy believes strike duo Kevin Doyle and Andy Keogh can be "a force to reckoned with" in the Premier League this season. The former, a club record signing, was forced to miss the start of the campaign after undergoing a hernia operation following his £6.5m switch from Reading.

But he and Keogh looked impressive when they started a match together for the first time in the weekend draw with Hull City at Molineux. "I thought Kevin was excellent against Hull. Him and Keogh together were a real handful to their defence," McCarthy told Press Association Sport. 

"It was especially encouraging bearing in mind they'd not really played together before that game. Doyle has certainly added that bit of quality. He was our big summer signing then he gets a hernia which was frustrating for him.

I am confident Kevin and Andy will be a force to be reckoned with this season because they don't give anyone a minute's rest.
Wolverhampton Wanderers manager Mick McCarthy on Kevin Doyle and Andy Keogh

"He was only 80 to 90 per cent fit against Hull, but having him back has made a big difference to us. I am confident Kevin and Andy will be a force to be reckoned with this season because they don't give anyone a minute's rest."

McCarthy knows the importance of continuing to pick up points after a return of four from the opening four games on Wolves' return to the top flight. "It is about picking up points," he said.

"You take a monthly total. There might be a month when you get nothing. Then another month we might get eight.

"Let's just keep picking up points. We got another one from the Hull game after going behind and that to me was a really good sign."