“I had played pretty much all the cup games and European games, which was good for me and I did okay.

“But to get in in the league now – obviously not in the best of circumstances because of injury to Boaz – is great, and this kind of thing happens in football.

“I’m delighted I’m playing and I hope we can get the result in the semi-finals and get to Wembley which, on a personal level, would be a great highlight because in the Carling Cup I couldn’t be involved because I was cup-tied.

“It’s one I want to be involved in and hopefully we can do it.”

Should penalties decide the play-offs, then Doyle is the ideal man to have on your side.

The save from Ian Harte in Blues’ final league game, a 2-0 win over champions Reading, was his fourth in the last five spot-kicks he has faced in competitive action.

And his record in all Blues’ games makes for even better stats.

“If you include ressie games and friendlies, it’s eight out of ten,” Doyle revealed. “They are not competitive games though, are they?

“I just hope it continues if needed in the play-offs.”

So what’s the secret?

“I don’t know. I just enjoy it. You are not expected to save them. I might be expected to save them now – that’s the problem!

“The pressure is on the striker taking it, whoever is taking it.

“I just tend to pick my side and commit to going that way. I try to read the body shape of the kicker, but it’s pretty much of a gamble.”