Graeme Hanna

Sat 15 April 2023 17:10, UK

Alan McInally has expressed his immediate concern for Daryl Dike as the West Brom striker suffered an injury in the Championship game against Stoke City, live on Sky Sports Soccer Saturday.

Dike was replaced at half-time by Karlan Grant in another setback for Carlos Corberan as he could have suffered an achilles injury at the Potteries.

The Baggies’ boss already had a significant injury list to contend with, and now the problem has been exacerbated with yet more issues to deal with.

McInally was straight to the point on what would be a massive collective disappointment, for player and club, at a crucial time in the season.

“It’s ridiculous,” he said. [15 April, 15:55]

“Well, the boys are injured. Daryl Dike, ball up to him, takes it on the chest, he tries to take it really quickly away from the defender and immediately pulls up so it’s either his calf or his achilles.

“Hopefully, it’s his calf because if it’s achilles, he can forget the rest of the season, never mind the start of next season.”

Running out of options

Corberan was on the record this week to play down WBA’s playoff prospects, instead wanting to focus on improving the level of performance.

That may have been an act to reduce the pressure on his squad but the fans will be expecting a push right to the end, they rightly feel their club should be in the mix for the top six.

However, this injury concern for Dike just adds to the pile on the treatment table, and with it, the Spanish coach sees his squad options reduced for the games to come.

The USMNT squad member is a key figure for West Brom and will be a huge loss if he is ruled out for the remainder of the campaign.

Already on the sidelines is Kyle Bartley as well as Okay Yokuslu and Taylor Gardner-Hickman. They are joined by the likes of Jayson Molumby and Jake Livermore in what is something of an injury crisis at The Hawthorns.

In other West Brom news, Carlos Corberan has spoken out about the bid for the Championship play-offs.