Daryl Dike isn’t scheduled to return to action for West Bromwich Albion anytime soon, but the American forward is expected to provide a major impact when he does step on the field again.

Dike remains sidelined after suffering an Achilles injury last April, one that has kept him sidelined for the opening two months of the new English Football League Championship campaign. The former Orlando City first-round draft pick enjoyed a positive start to 2023 for the Baggies, scoring six goals before suffering his latest injury at the club.

Dike’s injury forced him to also miss out on potential U.S. men’s national team involvement this past summer in Concacaf Nations League and Gold Cup competitions.

Baggies manager Carlos Corberan has ruled Dike out for the remainder of the 2023 schedule, but believes he will provide a boost once he is back fit again for the second half of the season.

“The same process, he’s very committed with the club,” Corberan said in a press conference, transcribed by Express and Star. “He’s very committed with his recovery, but it’s a very long-term injury, so he’s one player that I cannot expect to play until January.

“He will be one of the new players for January, in the January market we will add to the squad.”

Dike has been reduced to only 27 combined appearances for the Baggies since joining in December 2021. His absence has forced others to step up in the final third for West Brom, including attacking midfielder John Swift, who leads the team with six goals so far this season.

The Baggies are currently 11th in the Championship table, two points out of the top-six with 35 matches left to play.

Although West Brom won’t have Dike back in the squad until January, they will have him for the most important stretch of the season.