Daryl Dike injury could spell disaster for West Brom playoff hopes despite win v Stoke City
Despite West Brom coming from behind to nick a 2-1 win against Stoke City and keep their playoff hopes alive, the injury to Daryl Dike will remain one of the main talking points.
The American international was stretched off the pitch after falling awkwardly on his ankle in the first half of the clash at the Bet365 Stadium on Saturday (15 April) – an injury that could have huge implications on West Brom’s playoff hopes this season.
Carlos Corberan’s side moved to within two points of Blackburn Rovers with just five games of their Championship season left but could potentially be without Dike for the remainder of the season after the Baggies manager confirmed that Dike had damaged his Achilles.
Such a bitter blow came as a dampener to what was otherwise a brilliant weekend for West Brom, with promotion rivals Norwich City and Preston both losing their matches.
However, not being able to call upon Dike as the season reaches its climax could be crucial to the club’s chances of gaining promotion to the Premier League.
The likes of Kyle Bartley, Okay Yokuslu and Taylor Gardner-Hickman are already on the Baggies’ treatment table, but none of these players have the game-changing ability of Dike.
Since nursing his way back to full fitness during the Qatar World Cup break, Dike has been a mainstay in Corberan’s team.
The 22-year-old’s seven goals scored this term is a tally only bettered by striker partner Brandon Thomas-Asante, but Dike holds the best goals per 90-minute record of any West Brom player (0.49). [BBC Sport]
In the big games this season, it has been Dike who Corberan has called upon to lead the line, with the striker delivering key goals in wins over Middlesbrough and Sunderland.
Hopefully, the injury to the former Orlando City forward isn’t as serious as first feared, and he can recover to have a sizeable impact on West Brom’s playoff charge.
If not, West Brom’s already tough task has got that much harder.
In other West Brom news, the Baggies have sent scouts to track an in-demand defender who’s set to leave as they begin planning for the summer transfer window.