"I watched him crying" - Exclusive: Sky pundit reveals "worry" for West Brom star Daryl Dike | OneFootball

Don Goodman has told FLW his verdict on Daryl Dike's latest injury setback for West Brom

Don Goodman has expressed his sympathy towards Daryl Dike after the West Brom forward suffered yet another injury setback.

The US international is set to miss the start of the new campaign after a fitness setback.

A thigh injury in training means that he won’t be back until potentially the September international break, according to ESPN.

Dike has endured a series of fitness issues during his time at West Brom, leading to him featuring just 40 times in the Championship since joining in January 2022 in a reported £7 million deal.

Don Goodman sympathises with Daryl Dike

Goodman has reflected on being at Portman Road when Dike injured his Achilles during the 2023/24 campaign, and how much he felt for the player then.

He feels it’s been very unfortunate for everyone involved that the £7 million figure paid to sign the American hasn’t worked out.

“I think £7 million at the time was a huge outlay but obviously he was a player, Daryl Dike, that former manager Valerien Ismael at West Bromwich Albion knew well, got the best out of at Barnsley and felt the price was right,”

“He’s just been desperately unlucky.

“I remember the second Achilles injury that he got last season was at Portman Road, I watched him crying while being stretchered off on a mobile buggy on the outside of the pitch, receiving the applause of the Ipswich, West Brom fans and my heart went out to him.

“It’s just been a massively injury-ravaged few seasons for him, and yet another setback.

“You kind of worry about what it’s doing to him emotionally, as well as physically, so a tough one.”

West Brom will start their Championship campaign this weekend with a home clash against Blackburn Rovers on Saturday in a 3pm kick-off.

Dike situation has been horrible for all involved

Dike showed a lot of promise under Ismael when they were both at Barnsley, with the forward scoring nine goals from 19 appearances in the Championship.

But he has yet to score nine goals for West Brom in the league in the three-and-a-half years since his move from Orlando.

Injuries have plagued his time at the club, and it’s difficult to foresee Albion ever getting the best out of him at this stage.

It will be a what if for both West Brom and Dike that this hasn’t worked out, but any strong appearances from him going forward should just be considered a bonus for Ryan Mason.