DOYLE HAS CONFIDENCE IN PARTNERSHIP

Doyle - Ireland star.

Republic of Ireland striker Kevin Doyle is confident his partnership with Robbie Keane will bear fruit as they prepare to launch the nation's World Cup qualifying campaign.

The 25-year-old Reading man has been paired with the Ireland captain in all three of manager Giovanni Trapattoni's international matches to date, with Keane claiming two of his side's three goals in that period.

However, Doyle admits with the limited time the two men have had to learn each other's game, the process of building up a relationship on the pitch has been tough.

He said: "It's hard because you play for two or three days in training and then you have a match.

"It is difficult, but the more we play together, the better we will become.

"I don't know if I will stay in the team, but we work on it, especially now with the manager. We seem to play together in training all the time, which helps."

Trapattoni, however, is convinced the two men can play together.

He has made no secret of his admiration for Keane's style of play, and particularly the work he does off the ball and his speed of thought.

But he also believes Doyle is the ideal foil for him, and has even compared his style to that of his captain's new strike-partner at Liverpool, Fernando Torres.

The Wexford-born frontman was slightly surprised when told of the comparison.

He said: "I didn't hear that one. That's flattering. I wish I could get as many goals."

Doyle returned to England after the 1-1 draw in Norway with speculation continuing over his future amid reports Aston Villa are ready to launch an £8million swoop for him.

He was, of course, part of the Reading side relegated from the Barclays Premier League last season and is desperate to return, whether with the Royals next season or more immediately should another club make a successful bid for him in the next week or so.

The striker made his international debut as a Coca-Cola Championship player, but admits the lessons he learned in the top flight were invaluable.

He said: "It was very tough, it was difficult last season. But whatever doesn't kill you makes you stronger.

"You are playing against better players, stronger players who are sharper and quicker and it makes you mentally and physically better.

"But it's partly my own fault that I'm not playing at that level, so it is up to me to get myself back there."