West Brom saw a forgotten man return against Aldershot Town over the weekend.
West Brom hosted non-league Aldershot Town in the FA Cup on Sunday.
Carlos Corberan gave minutes to a number of youngsters who eventually won the game 4-1, including the likes of Jovan Malcolm who scored the second, Tom Fellows who scored the fourth, and Fenton Heard too.
But much of the talk on Sunday was about Daryl Dike.
The USMNT striker made his return from injury after another prolonged period on the sidelines, playing 45 minutes and getting himself on the scoresheet.
His return is obviously a boost for Corberan and West Brom. But Lewis Cox has also explained how it’s a boost for Brandon Thomas-Asante.
Daryl Dike return takes the strain off Brandon Thomas-Asante
Since arriving from Orlando City at the start of 2022, Dike has played just 25 league games for the Baggies, scoring seven goals.
He’s certainly shown potential in those games, but injury has kept him from fulfilling that for the time being.
And in his absence, Thomas-Asante has held the line.
There’s been a lot of pressure on the 25-year-old to stay fit and firing, and he’s done that, scoring seven Championship goals last season and having seven to his name in the league already this season.
Speaking in the latest episode of the Baggies Broadcast, Express & Star reporter Cox said of Dike’s return and how it’ll impact Thomas-Asante:
“Think it’s a massive boost for Brandon Thomas-Asante as well… He had all the burden on him in terms of being up front, in terms of the goals.”
Cox added:
“I think it’ll be a massive boost for Thomas-Asante, being able to rest him eventually, put him on the bench as an impact player, because he has wonderful traits doesn’t he. Thomas-Asante, certainly against tiring defenders where he’ll be a massive impact and influence coming on later in games.”
Dike’s return is good for everyone at West Brom
Dike’s return comes at the perfect time for Corberan.
West Brom are set to lose Grady Diangana to AFCON and have already lost the likes of Maja and Matt Phillips to injury, which left Thomas-Asante even more isolated in the Baggies’ attacking department.
But to see Dike play 45 minutes and to get on the scoresheet as well would’ve been amazing for all involved at West Brom, and like Cox says, for Thomas-Asante too.
He’s shown a lot of promise over the past season-and-a-half. He’s done well to stay fit and injury-free and to also improve his scoring game too, becoming a striker capable of scoring an array of goals and against good Championship opposition.
He’ll remain a crucial player for the Baggies but he can now be rested on some occasions and his role in the side might now change to become an impact substitute like Cox suggests.
Up next for West Brom is a home game vs Blackburn Rovers this weekend.