Wolves' record signing Kevin Doyle is set to miss the big Premiership kickoff.

The Times says Doyle looks set to miss the start of the Premier League season after undergoing a hernia operation.

The Wolverhampton Wanderers striker, the club's record £6.5 million signing, was flown out to Munich earlier this week to be seen by a hernia specialist. The injury has delayed Doyle's pre-season training and he is now likely to miss the August 15 curtain raiser against West Ham United at Molineux.

The news comes just days after fellow striker, Chris Iwelumo, was ruled out for up to two months with a broken metatarsal sustained during a 1-0 pre-season victory over Perth Glory.