Daryl Dike hands Carlos Corberan big boost after injury news at West Brom
Daryl Dike’s return to fitness will come as a huge positive for West Brom manager Carlos Corberan, according to under 21’s coach Richard Beale.
The forward, who has been plagued with injuries since his £7million move from Orlando City in January, played a pre-planned 45-minutes of action for the Under 21’s in Monday night’s 5-1 defeat to Nottingham Forest.
The Spaniard watched on from the stands as he chose Dike, defender Martin Kelly and goalkeeper David Button to all feature for Beale’s side in what was a horrific night.
After scoring from the penalty spot and coming through the 45 minutes unscathed, Beale said: “Yep I’ve spoken to him there, we planned for him to play 45 minutes and to switch him with Kenneth.
“That’s a positive for the club and Daryl to get him back on the pitch, he got the goal, which was nice, it was a shame we couldn’t put on a better performance with him in the team.
“He’s a really good player, a multi-million-pound signing for the club.
“Having Daryl Dike back fit, whenever he’s deemed fit enough to play for the first team, is a big, big plus.”
Fingers Crossed
The misfortune that has followed Dike since his move to The Hawthornes is quite something.
The 22-year-old has managed just 12 minutes of action this season, those coming against Middlesborough on the opening weekend of the season, before tearing his thigh muscle during training the following week.
With just a solitary start coming last season before a serious hamstring injury, Dike will have worked for more managers than he’s made starts for West Brom by the time he lines up for the Baggies again.
From his brief 45 minutes of action on Monday night, Dike highlighted the qualities which he was so clearly signed for. The forward was a constant menace and physical presence for the hosts and when fully fit could add the much-needed goals that have eluded West Brom so far this season.
With Karlan Grant, John Swift, and Jed Wallace the club’s top scorers in the league with just three goals apiece, Dike’s goals can’t come soon enough for the Baggies.
In other news, pundit rubbishes West Brom overhaul in January as he backs Corberan’s side