Daryl Dike has said he was “super happy” after he scored in his first game since he was out for nine months with a career-threatening injury.
Daryl Dike Scores in first game back!!!!#USMNT #letsgo #soccer USA! USA! USA!!!
— John F. Heerdink, Jr. (@johnfheerdinkjr) January 7, 2024
pic.twitter.com/sxknhZu4C9
The 23-year-old striker struck his side’s third goal in a third round 4-1 victory over National League Aldershot Town in his first action since a ruptured Achilles last April.
The major setback was a third serious injury in his two years at The Hawthorns and Dike’s memorable celebration with the Baggies fans was one of real meaning.
The feeling was captured in the United States international’s face and asked about the moment he crashed into the Shots’ top corner, Dike replied: “I can’t really put it into words…the pictures show how happy I am. I’m just ecstatic, super happy. I don’t know!
“I feel ecstatic, after being out for eight to nine months, watching and living every single game, it makes you feel good to be out there and get the result and on top of that to score, it’s incredible.
“Scoring the goal in front of all of the fans, with the support they’ve given, it’s an incredible feeling.”
Dike made it 3-0 to Carlos Corberan’s hosts on 27 minutes after Nathaniel Chalobah, with his first Baggies goal, and youngster Jovan Malcolm, 21, had struck to break the non-league visitors’ resistance.
"I’ve been re-living that feeling every day and thinking about it, so when it finally happens you’re overwhelmed." 🗣@DarylDike on his goalscoring return from long-term injury. 👇
— West Bromwich Albion (@WBA) January 7, 2024
The plan was always for Dike to play the first 45 minutes against the Shots and the big American came through his return unscathed.
Corberan revealed afterwards that the Albion squad gave the striker a round of applause at the interval. The head coach said: “The way he celebrated the goal says many things about how much he had been suffering, how important it was for him to score, how important he is for his team-mates and dressing room too.
“The players at half-time gave a big applause to him, they have been celebrating the fact he has came back to score because after close to nine months out it is difficult for someone like him who has unfortunately suffered some injuries.”
“To come back is a very important step, not only for the goal, for the 45 minutes, it’s a massive step – now my medical staff cannot stop me to involve him in the games!”
