Three West Brom players face fitness race for Birmingham City return

Daryl Dike faces a race against time to be fit for West Bromwich Albion’s derby clash with Birmingham City. The American, a £7million January signing, has not played for two months but had been nearing a return to first team action.

However, just when the 21-year-old, who scored an absolute screamer against Blues as a Barnsley player last season, looked to be nearing a return to fitness - he suffered a late setback. Dike missed out on the draw with Bristol City last weekend and was pencilled in to play for the Under 23s on Monday night.

But he pulled out of that match too and if he is fit to face Blues it will be on the back of no game-time since January 22. Steve Bruce updated the situation: “Big Dike was uncomfortable in training,” the 61-year-old said.

“The idea was can we get him through and be a bit part and then play him in the under-23s game on Monday at The Hawthorns? Unfortunately he was uncomfortable. It’s not quite the same injury.

“It’s a tendon further down I’m lead to believe. It’s the same leg as what he injured so we’re not going to gamble on that. We’re going to have to see how he is. It’s a real shame because he’s worked so hard to get back. But something is niggling at him and we have to take every precaution we can.”

Alongside Dike, Andy Carroll also wasn’t fit enough to play at Bristol City after picking up a knock in the win over Fulham last Tuesday. Bruce will hope to have the veteran striker available on April 3.

Matt Phillips is another who hasn’t played since January and another who’s return is scheduled for after the international break. The winger has been recuperating from a fractured toe, has been out since January 29 and has not yet been available to Bruce.

For their part Blues are