West Brom set for major injury boost for Blackpool as fresh Daryl Dike update emerges

Matt Phillips is finally set to feature under Steve Bruce when West Bromwich Albion face Blackpool at The Hawthorns today.

Albion wideman Phillips, 31, has been sidelined since early February after suffering a hamstring injury in one of Bruce’s first training sessions after replacing Valerien Ismael. He is now deemed fit enough to take his place on the bench against Blackpool.

Bruce admits Alex Mowatt will be touch and go though after picking up a knock in the build-up to the Good Friday clash. Right-back Darnell Furlong would be favourite to replace Mowatt in Albion’s starting line-up, with Taylor Gardner-Hickman shifting into midfield.

“Phillips will be involved tomorrow, he will probably be on the bench,” said Bruce. “I've got a concern over Mowatt, he's got a bit of a knock - 50/50 I would have thought. Everyone else seems OK.”

American centre-forward Daryl Dike has barely played since completing a big money move to Albion from Orlando City in January. Dike sustained a serious hamstring injury on his first start for the club in January and suffered a setback in late March when he appeared to be nearing a comeback.

Dike could be fit to return before the end of the season, but Bruce isn’t planning to use him unless he is certain it won’t prompt a relapse. Albion only have five Championship games remaining and there is very little riding on them.

“There's the possibility that he might be back,” Bruce commented. “But unless I think he is bob on, I will still err on caution. There's nothing worse than an injury when you're a footballer, let alone when you've come over here from America, big money signing, and you've lasted a game.

“It's tough on him and it's tough on everyone else as well. We hope that he can get himself