Hull City-Wolverhampton Preview

Aug 27, 2009 - 4:51 PM MARK HENDRY STATS European Football Writer=

LONDON (SE) - Hull manager Phil Brown has backed Jozy Altidore to gun down Wolves at Molineux on Saturday after tipping the USA international to become a Premier League sensation.

Altidore came off the substitutes' bench to inspire Hull to claim their first league win of the season by beating Bolton 1-0 last Saturday.

The teenager, on a season's loan from Spanish side Villarreal, marked his first start by claiming a goal in Tuesday's 3-1 League Cup win at home to Southend.

Brown said: "Jozy got himself a winning goal and he's probably still suffering from jet lag if truth be known.

"It was a good competitive game for him because Southend were no slouches.

"He seems to be unfazed by anything but that's perhaps down to the assets of a 19-year-old. He can handle himself and he found himself up against an experienced team.

"It'll be a long season for him and it'll be a long way to go to get him up to Premier League fitness levels and get him up to speed with the Premier League.

"Southend was a big stepping stone for him. There is a long way to go but I think he can be a real talent."

Hull will again be without injured quartet Dean Marney, Richard Garcia, Jimmy Bullard and Ian Ashbee.

Wolves, who have lost two of their opening three matches following promotion from the Championship, are ready to unleash record 6.5 million pounds signing Kevin Doyle.

Doyle made his first start for the club during the mid-week League Cup victory at home to Swindon after recovering from a hernia injury.

The Republic of Ireland striker believes Wolves can match the achievement of old club Reading by securing a top half finish in their first season back in the top flight.

Doyle said: "I'm down on my match fitness and that's going to take a couple of weeks but I'll be fine.

"I've been doing rehabilitation and bits of cardiovascular work and running, so it's not as if I haven't done any work. I just haven't been out on the pitch as much.

"You have to believe we can really make something of this season and the manager's told me we're going to have a real go at it.

"Knowing we were favourites to get relegated in our first season in the Premier League with Reading and finishing eighth, why should it be any different with this Wolves team?"

Last season's top scorer Sylvain Ebanks-Blake could also feature for the first time this season after shaking off a hamstring problem.

Manager Mick McCarthy said: "There is no way Kevin is going to be 100 per cent at the moment because that only comes with games and more games.

"But is there a chance he could start on Saturday? Yes, there's a chance.

"Everything now will depend on how he goes in the next few days. I would think Sylvain would be available, which is a massive boost for us."