West Brom set for "huge" boost over £7m international

Getting star striker Daryl Dike back fit will ‘be huge’ for West Bromwich Albion as they aim to resurrect their promotion push, according to journalist Pete O’Rourke.

The 21-year-old arrived from Orlando City in a £7 million deal during the January transfer window but has seen a serious hamstring injury significantly restrict his playing time.

Dike made a name for himself within the Football League last season when he scored nine goals in 21 Championship appearances during a six-month loan spell with Barnsley.

The USA international fired the Terriers to the play-offs for the first time in 21 years before they were dumped out in the semi-finals by Swansea City and returned to his homeland following the conclusion of 2020/21.

However, after continuing to impress in the MLS, Dike was reunited with former Barnsley manager Valerien Ismael at West Brom during the winter as they looked to boost their chances of an instant Premier League return.

Yet things didn’t go to plan for either the Baggies, Ismael or Dike. After playing just 84 minutes throughout a defeat to Queens Park Rangers and a victory over Peterborough United, the stocky forward was sidelined for several weeks through injury.

Consecutive losses followed, leading to Ismael’s dismissal, and West Brom have been largely misfiring in the absence of a proven goalscorer.

West Brom scored just one goal and picked up a solitary point in their opening five league games under new boss Steve Bruce, significantly denting their hopes of a top-six finish.

Nevertheless, Dike could make his comeback following the international break, and O’Rourke believes his presence will be a big boost.

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He told GiveMeSport: “It’ll be