West Brom receive ‘major boost’ as Carlos Corberan reveals injury return date for Daryl Dike
West Brom have received a “major boost” with striker Daryl Dike closing in on a potential return to action during the festive period, manager Carlos Corberan confirms.
Express & Star (22 December) shared that the striker took part in full training on Friday (22 December) for the first time since rupturing his Achilles eight months ago and could possibly feature in games with Leeds United and Swansea over the New Year weekend.
The 23-year-old’s return to action at The Hawthorns will be timely, with the Baggies having recently lost forward Josh Maja to a serious ankle injury.
“We will see when we can add him to the squad. The faster the better. There are possibilities,” said Corberan (via Express & Star).
“If you tell me we can’t have him against Middlesbrough and Norwich either, then I will try my best to have him against Leeds, or if not then Swansea.
“That is my dream but maybe not the real situation. Day-by-day, so let’s see. If not, it will be January. When? The faster the better.”
Major indeed
The Baggies have severely been blighted by recurring issues to several key stars over the past couple of weeks and the Maja blow certainly hit Corberan hard with Brandon Thomas-Asante his only solution up top.
The forward positions have certainly been an area of great need for the Baggies boss who has also been forced to play Jed Wallace in an unfamiliar up-front because of his lack of options in the position.
However, Wallace got injured himself recently before Maja’s blow which suggests the Spaniard simply has not enjoyed a settled team at The Hawthorns for a long while and it has certainly impacted their form.
Dike who is yet to feature at all this season, his injury return cannot be more timely with his aerial and dominant presence certainly missed at the club with plenty of West Brom’s rivals all possessing a striker capable of leading from the front and scoring goals.
Right now, the Baggies are in a healthy position in the Championship table, lying in the playoff places with this coming festive period week so crucial to how things shape up for 2024 and should Dyke return in some form before then, it will absolutely be huge for Corberan and the whole squad.
In other West Brom news, a near £7billion development may shape the club’s January plans with Carlos Corberan to be demanding.