Daryl Dike to make long-awaited return for West Brom v Aldershot – Carlos Corberan
Carlos Corberan has confirmed that Daryl Dike will start for West Brom in their FA Cup clash with Aldershot after almost a year out with injury.
The American international suffered a ruptured achilles in April 2023 and hasn’t played since, but has now recovered after his third serious injury since joining the club in January 2022.
With the Baggies suffering with an abundance of injury issues this season, the return of Dike will come as a huge boost to West Brom and Corberan is hopeful that he will be able to return and provide fresh options for the rest of the season.
“Dike is going to have his first minutes after recovery,” Corberan confirmed, as quoted by Birmingham Mail [5 January].
“My plan is to probably start with him, but knowing that, more or less, the number of minutes he can play is around 45 minutes. The only difficulty we’ve had with Dike is that previously we haven’t trained a lot.
“Sunday will be an important day for him, to have that feeling to be a part of the group and to be on the pitch. Hopefully he can compete and play well in the 45 minutes. It’d be very useful for him and us.”
Finally
It’s been a long, winding road for the Baggies and Dike when it comes to injury problems but there is finally light at the end of the tunnel.
The American had finally hit some form after all his issues in recent years before his most recent problem, and if he can get back to that somehow then it will be a huge boost to the club’s promotion hopes.
Corberan has lost Matt Phillips for a few months already and has had to rely on Brandon Thomas-Asante as his lone striker option, with Jed Wallace filling in on occasion also.
This is the perfect game for him to return with less intensity and less expectation, while also being protected when it comes to a limited time-frame of playing to get rid of the cobwebs.
Baggies fans won’t be expecting too much from him for the first performances of his return, but if he can get back to full fitness then it will be like having a brand new signing at the club.
In other West Brom news, Baggies want to sign Liverpool sensation on loan this month.