Steve Bruce backs Daryl Dike and Kenneth Zahore to play a part in West Brom promotion push
West Brom manager Steve Bruce has backed injured striker duo Daryl Dike and Kenneth Zohore to play a part in their promotion push this season.
Dike signed on a permanent deal in the January transfer window from Orlando City FC, only to injure his hamstring on his full debut and be ruled out for eight weeks.
Zohore on the other hand has been out of favour after struggling with injuries since joining the club in 2019, but Bruce believes with full fitness and regular minutes both players could have a big impact on the Baggies’ season.
“The big American boy is out on the grass and he looks not too far away,” Bruce said.
“I think the club has been a bit unfortunate there. You sign a £7 million striker and he does his hamstring on his full debut.
“Let’s hope he can get back in a couple of weeks when the tickly bit (the run-in) starts. I saw him (Zohore) play a few years ago and he was sensational. I wasn’t surprised West Brom bought him.
“When he was at Cardiff, he was a really good player. He is another one who has had a tough time with injury since he has been here.
“He needs a consistent run in the team to get him back to what we all know he is capable of.”
Boost
West Brom need to find a way to start finding the back of the net consistently, and their best chance of that is getting their strikers fit and firing.
In 31 games this season they have managed to score just 34 goals, with winger Karlan Grant currently their top scorer with ten goals.
For a team chasing promotion that isn’t nearly good enough and Bruce is well aware, already trying to change the system to get more from his attackers.
Ultimately Dike hasn’t had a chance to hit the ground running because of his injury, but the small sample size we have seen from him was positive.
As for Zohore, it’s an extra attacking body for Bruce to call upon. He’s shown next to nothing in the blue and white stripes so far, but the boss has obviously seen something and will be hopeful of giving him the confidence to have a memorable second half of the season.
In other West Brom news, Steve Bruce admits mistake he made after West Brom draw v Blackburn