Steve Bruce provides major injury news on West Brom striker Daryl Dike, striker’s reaction
West Brom striker Daryl Dike looks unlikely to play again this season after manager Steve Bruce confirmed his injury has not improved.
The American has been out since his second appearance in a Baggies shirt after his January arrival from Orlando City, but looked to be approaching a return to full fitness.
However, the set back he suffered in recent weeks now appears to be serious enough to end his season prematurely.
Birmingham Live reporter Joe Chapman wrote on Twitter from the manager’s press conference ahead of Sunday’s (3 April) visit to Birmingham City: “Steve Bruce confirms Daryl Dike set back hasn’t settled and it’s ‘debatable’ whether he’ll play again this season. Decided to remain here, rather than head back to the States, to continue his rehab.”
Express and Star reporter Joseph Masi explained on his own Twitter that the Hawthorns boss gave the 21-year-old the option of recovery in the US “but Dike wanted to stay”.
Big blow
The marquee mid-season signing has had absolutely no luck so far at West Brom.
Signed by previous manager Valerien Ismael in the hopes of recreating the pair’s work at Barnsley last season, he barely got to play for the Frenchman.
The early days of the Bruce reign saw the Baggies struggle mightily for goals, with free-agent signing Andy Carroll lacking service.
Plenty of hopes were pinned on the USMNT international to return and fire the side back into playoff contention, but that appears to have been wiped out.
The fortunes of Dike have somewhat summed up how things have gone for the club as a whole once the early-season form evaporated.
There were reports this week that Valerien, now at Besiktas in Turkey, was interested in signing the forward for a third club (Haber 365).
The latest injury news likely wipes those prospects out also, but primarily it is a major blow for the rest of the West Brom season.
Virtually zero return for over £7million spent stings, and damages the slim hopes of making a late run at promotion.
In other West Brom news, a “future captain” is currently in talks over a new contract at the club.
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