West Brom share Daryl Dike update amid latest injury comeback | OneFootball

The American has been out of action since February, but looks to be back in training.

West Bromwich Albion has been excellent so far in 2024/25, and they look set to be boosted even further in the coming months by the return of Daryl Dike.

The American striker has been out of action since February after suffering a ruptured Achilles tendon for the second time in his Baggies career.

Dike only managed to play five games after coming back from his first achilles injury - one that set him back nine months - before he was sidelined once again.

Surgery was required following his most recent issue, and he was not expected to return to the fold until 2025.

However, a recent Instagram post from West Brom showing the 24-year-old in training has brought about hopes that he could be closer than originally expected.

Daryl Dike appears to be closing in on West Brom return

Dike has not been seen anywhere near a football pitch since a 2-2 draw with Ipswich Town seven months ago, and there were fears that it could be the last time they saw him before the turn of the year.

Nevertheless, with the American now apparently back training with the first-team, according to the club's Instagram, it is possible that he could be back playing at The Hawthorns in the next couple of months.

There will be worries that rushing Dike back in could mean that the injury re-occurs for the second time, but he will be extremely well managed and carefully integrated.

The 24-year-old re-shared the post on his Instagram story, simply putting: "😁😁."

It seems clear to Baggies fans that the ex-Barnsley striker is extremely excited to get back on the pitch at The Hawthorns very soon, and the development is something that will only improve the positive mood that has infected West Brom currently.

Daryl Dike will have to work hard to try and displace Josh Maja

Although it is still the very early days of Dike's return, the form of Josh Maja will make it very difficult for Carlos Corberan to make any changes to the forward-line immediately.

The number nine has scored five goals in the first five Championship matches this season, and has been the stand-out start in a very good West Brom team.

Maja struggled to get among the goals when he first moved to the club last summer, and spent the campaign battling injuries throughout.

Nevertheless, with a full pre-season, the 25-year-old has been electric and has been a large reason behind the Baggies sitting top of the table after just five games.

If Dike does want to get into the team on his return, then he will have to hit the ground running, and start finding the back of the net as soon as he gets the opportunity to.

However, for the American, getting back out on the pitch for the first time will be yet another major breakthrough in what has been a terrible year-and-a-half where he has seen an extremely promising career nearly breakdown in front of him.

It is a testament to his character that he has been able to return to the training ground so quickly, and now he will be looking forward to playing an important role in West Brom's season, as Corberan's side look for promotion back to the Premier League.