West Brom could give Daryl Dike Monday run out amid injury recovery
Daryl Dike could well play some minutes for the West Brom Under-21 side on Monday (7 November), according to The Athletic.
The American international has been out with an injury for much of the season having also missed large chunks of last season with similar problems.
Karlan Grant has had to take the brunt of the workload as a result of Dike’s long-term injury troubles with Brandon Thomas-Asante helping out when called upon.
But The Athletic’s Elias Burke wonders if the 22-year-old could be given a chance to build his match fitness when Richard Beale’s Under-21 side takes on Nottingham Forest.
“Wonder if he’ll be involved on Monday night with the 21s…” Burke said after it was announced that Dike would not be involved in the squad away at QPR despite previously being considered for a spot on the bench pending a late fitness test at the training ground.
No rush
Carlos Corberan will be desperate to get Dike back to fitness and then form at The Hawthorns with his proven record of scoring goals at this level at Barnsley.
But with only one game left before the World Cup break, the Baggies may want to allow him to rest throughout the month off and come back sharp when the season restarts on 12 December.
The problem in that plan could be the United States with Gregg Berhalter potentially wanting the 22-year-old as part of his squad for the tournament.
It could be smart not to play him at all before the World Cup squads have to be decided to maybe put the USMNT manager off selecting him even if he is ready to play.
That would be a risk, however, as Dike would be desperate to play for his country at a World Cup and stopping him from going could be a worry.
In other West Brom news, this Strictly Come Dancing star was over the moon with the Baggies after they rolled over Queens Park Rangers.