'It's a good feeling' - Dike back for WBA with a bang

It there was a moment that made West Bromwich Albion forget about their disappointment and frustration at missing out on the Championship play-offs, it came after half an hour against Luton Town.

As Callum Styles' superb cross came in from the left, a leaping Daryl Dike got there ahead of his marker to nod in from eight yards.

It put the Baggies back in front at 2-1, on their way to a 5-3 win, and triggered some of the loudest celebrates - and widest smiles - The Hawthorns has witnessed for a while.

Not for 17 months, in fact, because that was when Dike last scored. You have to go back even further for the last time it happened in the league - March 2023, over two years.

But the USA striker is now fit after the sort of injury nightmare that seemed like it would never end.

"It's a good feeling," Dike told BBC Radio WM reflecting on his comeback goal.

"You've been sitting here working hard every single day for two years to have a moment like that.

"When I headed it I was on the floor and just thinking 'please go in, please go in' so to see it go in - it's what you dream about."

Since ing the Baggies from Barnsley in January 2022, Dike has had a scarcely believable run of serious injuries.

A hamstring injury on his full debut kept him out for six months, before a thigh problem on his return ruled him out for a further three.

Then in April 2023, a ruptured Achilles tendon saw him miss another 10 months.

Five games into his comeback, it went again against Ipswich and Dike was carried off in tears.

Understandably, the club have taken no chances over rushing him back this time and have introduced him from the bench 10 times since his return to fitness in February.

Interim boss James Morrison revealed he thought about whether to hand Dike a start against the Hatters "for a good three days" before "going with his gut" and giving him the green light.

Dike credited his team-mates had played a vital role in keeping him going and getting him ready for his return.

"They've been able to see my mood when it [the injury] first happened and how hard I've worked to get back," he said.

"I'm so thankful to have team-mates that me like they do and push me to get better every single day and keep my mindset right that I can still achieve all my dreams.

"Any footballer wants to play as much as possible but I've got good physios and medical team so the main thing is I was protected and in the best position to help the team."

Now, with his first league start - and goal - for two years under his belt, Dike is excited about the future.

"You get knocked down but you get back up," he said.

"I'm only 24 and still have tonnes of goals I want to achieve and I'm grateful to have the opportunities to still do that.

"I knew that if I put in the work and give myself the best opportunity to get more feelings like that then they would come.

"I can feel good about myself over the summer, knowing that I can still do it and I'm going to work really really hard into pre-season and carry that momentum into next season."