West Brom boss Carlos Corberan's reveal on Daryl Dike return v Leeds United | OneFootball

Highlights

West Bromwich Albion manager Carlos Corberan has revealed he will be pushing to have striker Daryl Dike available for their game against Leeds United.

Dike has been unavailable for the Baggies since April of this year, as he ruptured his achillies in the 2-1 win over Stoke City.

The 23-year-old has been spotted at The Hawthorns in recent months and weeks, with him on hand to congratulate his team after their 1-0 win over Norwich City on Boxing Day.

The forward has played 27 times for the Baggies in all competitions, scoring seven goals in the process, all of which came last season.

It has been a long recovery for the American forward, but he now seems to be closing in on his return, with Corberan keen to have him available for the club’s final home game of 2023.

Obviously, Dike will be eased back into action by Albion, as he’s not played in the first team since April.

While he will also need the green light from the club’s medical department, with Josh Maja likely going to miss the rest of the season and fellow striker Brandon Thomas-Asante potentially going to the African Cup of Nations, Dike’s return will be a welcome boost.

Speaking ahead of the game against Leeds, Corberan has revealed he will make a call regarding the availability of Dike, as the games come thick and fast.

He said, via Birmingham Live: “Let's see with the training - I will push my medical staff, and they will push me back, 100 percent.”

West Brom head into their 25th league game of the season, sitting in a very good position in the Championship table.

The Baggies have been one of the more consistent sides in the division so far this season, with them winning 11 of their 24 league games.

However, the last five results have been a mixed bag, with Corberan’s men only winning two, and they came against Rotherham United and Norwich.

But despite the mixed results, West Brom still remain in the play-off race, with them sitting in fifth place on 39 points, three ahead of seventh-place Hull City and six behind Friday night’s visitors Leeds.

West Brom must be patient with Daryl Dike

Of course, West Brom and Corberan will want Dike to be available as soon as possible, but there has to be a little care and patience with his return.

The 23-year-old has struggled with injuries in recent years, so it would be unfair on the player to rely on him heavily so soon after returning from this long-term injury.

Dike being available for the Leeds game will be a massive boost for the manager and the club in general, but rushing him back will be no good if, in a couple of weeks, he is back on the treatment table.

So, no matter how much Corberan wants him to be ready for selection, he also needs to think long-term and ease him back into action, as once Dike is fit and firing, he could make a huge difference in where the club finishes in this campaign.