Daryl Dike just can’t buy a prolonged run of good health.
The U.S. men’s national team striker went down with a non-contact injury late in the first half of West Brom’s 2-1 win at Stoke City on Saturday.
While there has not yet been an official diagnosis, manager Carlos Corberán says that the issue is with Dike’s Achilles tendon, indicating that the club expects the recovery to be seen in terms of months rather than weeks.
Reporters at the Bet365 Stadium said that the lengthy treatment for Dike included oxygen before he was carried off on a stretcher in the 11th minute of first half stoppage time.
Dike stretchered off. Not sure if he smashed a mirror or something before he arrived at Albion but he has had some rotten luck #Baggies pic.twitter.com/8TlFUVQorj
— Jonny Drury (@JonnyDrury_Star) April 15, 2023
In quotes published by the Express & Star, Corberán confirmed suspicions of an Achilles tendon injury, but said the club won’t know how severe it is until he undergoes further examination.
“It looks like an Achilles injury and they never really are good,” said the Spanish coach. “Achilles injuries are never easy to manage but still, we need to assess… we need to see how much damage appears and depending on this, we will know the months.”
Per BBC Radio, Corberán would go on to dedicate the win to Dike.
#WBA Carlos Corberan dedicates the win “to Daryl Dike, all of his team-mates and our unbelievable fans.” Dike has damaged his Achilles’ tendon. 😞💙 @WBA #Baggies Jayson Molumby needed a pain-killing injection to play. pic.twitter.com/Ky9QHChimt
— Rob Gurney (@RobGurneyOnAir) April 15, 2023
Dike’s miserable luck
Since joining West Brom in January 2022, Dike has suffered multiple significant injuries. After just two appearances for the club, a hamstring strain effectively ended his first season at The Hawthorns.
Coming through the summer with a clean bill of health, he played in WBA’s season opener on July 30, but then tore a thigh muscle in training.
Dike would not recover in time to contend for a spot on the U.S. men’s national team at the World Cup. In the end, that second injury cost him 18 league matches and two Carabao Cup games with West Brom as well.
He made his comeback with a last-second cameo against Stoke City on November 12, and since than has appeared in all but one match for the Baggies (an FA Cup replay in January against Chesterfield). Over that time, he produced seven goals and an assist, starting 14 times for Corberán.
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