West Brom boost as £7m striker ‘pushing’ for stunning return..
West Bromwich Albion are preparing for the return of a star striker.
West Brom are set to welcome back an important player soon following a full year out with a serious injury.
Daryl Dike is nearing full fitness again after completing his rehabilitation from the devastating Achilles tendon tear suffered against Ipswich Town last February. The centre-forward has missed 51 competitive West Brom fixtures in that time, leaving the Baggies rather short in attack at times.
Birmingham World understands Dike is now itching to get back into the matchday squad and so much so that he’s been pushing the medical team to allow him to feature. Manager Tony Mowbray is eager to get Dike involved, too, but the medical advice is to wait a little longer yet.
Albion are taking great care as this isn’t the first big injury Dike has suffered in his career. The United States international spent nine months out between April 2023 and January 2024 with another Achilles issue before suffering a similar injury just a month after his return.
Minutes are expected to be accumulated with the under-21 side first with games against the Newcastle United, Wolverhampton Wanderers and Crystal Palace academy squads coming up across the next three Monday evenings. Once Dike is up to a comfortable level of sharpness and the medical staff are satisfied with his progress, he’ll get the go-ahead to feature in the Championship for the first time this season.
Tony Mowbray spoilt for choice
West Brom have gone from having hardly any striking options at all to having an abundance, pretty much all at once. Josh Maja remains out with a hamstring problem but the late winter transfer window additions of Will Lankshear and Adam Armstrong on loan from Tottenham Hotspur and Southampton have provided a welcome boost.
Then there’s Tammer Bany, who joined from Danish Superliga side Randers for a reported fee of £3.3 million. The 21-year-old is predominantly an attacking midfielder but he can also lead the line, providing yet another option for Mowbray to exploit. It’s a big relief for the Baggies, who previously had to rely on the likes of Jed Wallace and Karlan Grant in rather auxiliary centre-forward roles.
As the depth at The Hawthorns is now so strong, Dike, who cost £7 million to sign from Orlando City in 2022, will have to be patient to get back into the starting XI. That’s probably a blessing in disguise, though, as it gives the 24-year-old time to properly settle back into a rhythm and reduce the risk of a new injury.
Related topics:West BromTeam newsFitnessDaryl DikeTony MowbrayThe Championship
