Republic of Ireland striker Kevin Doyle is facing a battle to be fit for the friendly against Argentina at the Aviva Stadium on Wednesday night, writes Glenn Mason.
Doyle picked up a calf injury in a pre-season friendly against Hearts last week and is still a doubt of the first international at the new Lansdowne Road.
The Wolves striker is desperate to play against such quality opposition having enjoyed the tussle with Brazil in March.
'I've had it for the last week and it hasn't improved. I'm hoping it will do in the next day or two because if it doesn't I won't be playing,' said Doyle.
'I need to play some minutes because I haven't played a massive amount during pre-season due to a couple of different things. I have had a scan and it just shows a bit of bleeding in my calf. It's something that has dragged on longer than expected.
'As friendlies go it's a big one, with the new stadium. I'd loved to be able to play in the first [international] game there. I really want to play there and, if there is a chance, I will be.
'Friendlies at this stage of the season are not usually the most important thing on your mind, as you are looking to your club at the start of the season. But this game is important for all of us.
'We have managed to play some world-class team in friendlies and played Brazil a couple of times now, so it's nice to play teams like Argentina.'
Doyle has formed an excellent striker partnership with Robbie Keane and believes the captain deserves to be considered as one of the greatest Irish players alongside Brady, McGrath, Keane and Giles.
'For anyone who gets to 100 caps, it just shows how much they love football,' said Doyle.
'His record in getting that 100 caps is a goal in nearly every two games. It is a privilege to play with him.
'He is the top scorer for the country, probably twice over compared to anyone else. I'm lucky I get to play with him and he's someone I can learn from.
'He has got as many or more caps as them (great players). He's got more goals than them and captained his country, played in a World Cup and scored in a World Cup, so I don't think there is any doubt that he is ranked as high as those.'
