West Bromwich Albion suffered a major injury blow with Daryl Dike picking up a thigh problem in training that saw him miss the Baggies’ 1-1 draw with Watford on Monday night.

The 22-year-old’s debut season was cut short due to injury and now his first full campaign as a West Brom player risks going the same way, leaving Steve Bruce with a big problem on his hands.

Dike didn’t have a fitness problem upon his arrival to the Hawthorns in January 2022, but he’s picked up three different injuries in just seven months – hamstring (January), leg (March) and thigh (August).

As per the Express and Star, Bruce said: “It’s a real frustration for us and the boy. He’s young and desperate to go to the World Cup with his nation, working worked tirelessly to get right.

“He kicked a ball and has done something to his thigh which didn’t look very good. He knew straightaway. He’s devastated, like all of us. We’re devastated for him because he’s really popular with the supporters because of the way he plays, and the way he is.

“It’s really bad luck. You’ve got a 22-year-old who comes here and has never been injured, then he picks up three since he’s walked through the door last January.”

Dike joined West Brom on a four-and-a-half-year deal from Orlando City SC in January and has gone on to make just three appearances in all competitions, amassing a paltry 96 minutes of football due to various injuries.

Bruce may have to consider dipping into the transfer market for a replacement striker if Dike can’t stay fit, otherwise there will be too much reliance on Karlan Grant like last season.

In other news, Joe Chapman says Darnell Furlong didn’t have best game v Middlesbrough