Daryl Dike makes 'still capable' admission on his West Brom goalscoring return

The popular 24-year-old converted a fine header in his first Championship start for 750 days after two years of injury hell with Achilles setbacks.

Dike was limited to a substitute role under former boss Tony Mowbray since making his return from the bench at Millwall in February. But he was finally given the nod by interim Albion boss James Morrison in Saturday's farewell 5-3 victory to relegate Luton.

The United States international returned the faith with an important goal to go 2-1 against the Hatters. Shortly after he laid on an assist for Tom Fellows' second goal in the big win.

Dike admitted their were dark days in the rehab following his second ruptured Achilles at Ipswich in February 2024 and that doubts about his return crept in.

"For sure (there are dark times)," said Dike, who played a little over an hour against Luton. "When you have an injury like that, especially the second time around, all the things you think are like 'is it going to happen again?' 'Am I going to be the same?'

"But with training sessions the last few months and games like today it pushes a little bit of that today and shows I can still do it and be confident in myself.

"Sometimes confidence goes down a little bit but today shows I am still capable.

"I want about six more games now but there's another year next year so let's get going."

Dike's goal drew an emotional response from his team-mates and supporters as the striker roared in front of the Smethwick End.

He added:  "It means a lot (from my team-mates). Those guys see me every single day, how much it means to me, how much work I put into it and how much the injury has affected me.

"They're all happy for me, crowding around me. It's a good feeling having the people around me wanting me to succeed.

"Every single day has been a day of working hard and thinking of moments like this - when you are back in the squad and scoring.

"To have a day like today after all of that day just makes it even better."

It was Dike's eighth Albion goal in his three years at the club which have included just 16 starts in Championship action.

"Before the match I was telling them to put the ball in the box and I would be there," he said of the header. "Stylesy played a great ball and I was there.

"(The third) For sure, a good ball from Pricey and finish from Tom. When the team is playing like that it makes it a little bit easier with those stats."