Doyle is living proof that cheap, unearthed diamonds do still exist in today's game. Reading forked out £78,000 to land the unheralded Cork City striker in 2005 and he made the step up from League of Ireland football with remarkable ease. After scoring the goal that clinched promotion for the Royals and 19 in all in his first season, he took another sizeable leap in quality in his stride by adapting surprisingly well to the Premier League. But the goals dried up for the striker who managed only six when Reading were relegated back to the Championship in 2007/2008.

To his credit, Doyle remained loyal to the Berkshire club but was unable to fire them out of the division again and joined Wolves for a club record fee in the region of £6.5million in 2009. An undisputed success, he worked tirelessly in attack, often as a lone forward, as Mick McCarthy's side comfortably avoided relegation. Gaining increasing respect at international level, he earned the trust of Giovanni Trapattoni and became a key figure for Republic of Ireland, chipping in with important goals but also defending from the front. In 2008, he won the FAI Player of the Year award.

Although his strike rate in the Premier League dropped off, his performances attracted plenty of attention from rival managers with Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger a confirmed admirer. Not that McCarthy is unduly worried as he praised the forward's personality and his affection for the Molineux outfit and promptly slapped a £50 million price-tag on the forward's head!

Strengths: Has become an ideal example of the new lone striker role favoured in 4-5-1 formations. A real fighter who unsettles defenders and competes for every ball - both aerially and on the flanks. Wins free-kicks, holds play up and is a focal point for all his team's attacks.

Weaknesses: Goalscoring didn't look to be an issue for him but, as his role has evolved, it has become a stick to beat him with. He didn't open his Premier League account in 2010/2011 until late November and his disputed effort in the win against Manchester United in February was only his third in the division all season. While it's clear an unselfish attitude is costing him in this department, all centre-forwards appreciate the need to be hitting the net regularly.

Career high: Andorra may not be the strongest of opponents but Doyle's superb strike in the Euro 2012 qualifier showed all his best qualities. Lashing home a long-range left-footed drive at international level was further evidence of the talent in his locker.

Career low: Relegation with Reading on May 11, 2008. Doyle came on as a substitute and scored in a 4-0 away win at Derby but it wasn't enough to save the Royals from the drop as Fulham survived.

Style: Industrious, selfless and willing, prepared to put the team's needs ahead of his own.

Quotes: "He is generous, intelligent, has good skill and technique and likes to bring other players in to the game. I like the fact he is not only a striker but a team player as well." Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger, 2010.

Trivia: A keen gaelic footballer, he was 50-50 about taking it up full-time, a spell in Italy training with Torino as a teenager helped make his mind up to concentrate on football.