Jul 25, 2021; Arlington, Texas, USA; United States forward Daryl Dike (11) and Jamaica defender Damion Lowe (17) battle for the ball during the first half of a CONCACAF Gold Cup quarterfinal soccer match at AT&T Stadium.
West Brom have now been dealt a big injury setback involving striker Daryl Dike as Steve Bruce revealed the striker is not close to fitness.
The Lowdown: Dike injury
Dike played just 12 minutes in West Brom’s opening Championship game away at Middlesbrough in a 1-1 draw, and has not featured since this season after picking up a thigh injury (Transfermarkt).
Unfortunately for the striker, his time at the Hawthorns has largely been injury-plagued, and so Albion supporters have barely been able to see him play since moving from the MLS back in the January transfer window.
The Latest: Bruce gives update
Speaking to the media, Bruce has confirmed (via Birmingham Live) that Dike will not be returning to action after the international break, when they host Swansea City in the Championship:
“No, unfortunately.
“What’s he been, six weeks? There’s still a way to go, still a process.”
However, the manager did claim that he could still make a return before the FIFA World Cup kicks off in Qatar in November:
“Possibly. That’s about eight weeks. Maybe, that’s a more realistic target.”
The Verdict: Big blow
Of course, it is a big blow to hear that Dike has still not been able to recover from his thigh problem, and so will not be ready to play straight away after the international break has finished.
The USA international boasts a decent goal record at club level, including nine strikes in the Championship for Barnsley in the 2020/21 campaign, but has only featured a mere three times for the Baggies (Transfermarkt).
Nonetheless, due to his injury problems, they will not want to rush him back, but will be hoping that he can play in a couple of games later down the line before the World Cup begins.
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