Ryan Mason confirms double West Brom injury boost - but Leicester City clash comes too soon
The latest team news ahead of West Brom vs Leicester in the Championship.
West Bromwich Albion boss Ryan Mason has unveiled that attacking duo Daryl Dike and Tammer Bany are shifting nearer to returning from injury.
Dike and Bany, recovering from thigh and hamstring problems respectively, were originally due back after the September international break, however they have taken a while longer to return to fitness. The Baggies started the season brilliantly but have stuttered in recent games, scoring just three goals in their last four outings.
There’s no guarantee that Dike and Bany playing would have resulted in Albion scoring more often, but their presence may have helped a little – even if it was just to freshen things up off the bench. Mason’s options have been restricted, especially as Josh Maja has himself only recently returned to sharpness.
Mason confirms West Brom duo nearly back from injury
The good news is Dike and Bany could soon play their part for Albion. It definitely won’t be as soon as the Leicester City clash, and probably not for the Norwich City and Millwall fixtures. But after the upcoming October international break looks very plausible. It will likely be a slow process getting them to the level where they can play full matches again, but the main thing is getting them back involved.
“Dike and Tammer are getting closer, which is positive,” Mason told our sister publication, the Express & Star. "They're getting integrated back into training now. So it's just how long it takes them to get up to match speed because they've both been out for a long time. Not just this injury.
"I think in the last six months, six to 12 months, both have had some challenges. So we want to make sure we get it right to keep them available for as long as possible,” Mason added. The head coach then replied "of course" when asked if the upcoming fortnight break could be significant for the duo's return.
Dike, a £7 million signing from Orlando City in 2022, will be desperate to get back up to speed as soon as possible as he hasn’t been able to play regularly for nearly three years, as a result of two serious Achilles injuries and this latest setback. Bany, meanwhile, is still yet to start for the Baggies since joining from Randers for £3.5 million in January.