West Brom star reacts to 'cruel' Derby County player blow | OneFootball

West Bromwich Albion's USMNT striker Daryl Dike has reacted to a cruel blow to Derby County centre-forward Patrick Agyemang...

Derby County are vying for the play-offs but John Eustace's side have been dealt a blow in their pursuit of the top six after their win over Stoke City.

His Derby County team are only a few points off the play-off places with five league games to spare, as Wrexham, Southampton, and Hull City are in their sights. Carlton Morris' return inspired them to a 2-0 win on Monday against Stoke City, with the striker having a hand in both goals.

But they need all the firepower they can get if they are to achieve a place in the top six and then a return to the Premier League for the first time since 2008. Patrick Agyemang is the latest to be ruled out for the remainder of the campaign alongside Rhian Brewster.

In terms of the players with the most goal involvements this term, Brewster has nine, Ben Brereton-Diaz has 10, Carlton Morris has 12, and Agyemang has 13. Derby's versatile USMNT centre-forward suffered an Achilles tendon injury against Stoke yesterday, ruling him out for 9-12 months.

Daryl Dike sends Patrick Agyemang message of support after injury

Agyemang is a US international, having bagged six goals in 14 for the national team. There is plenty of competition for places for the attacker, including from other Championship players as well.

Josh Sargent is one of the players, having only just left Norwich City to join Toronto recently. There are other US players plying their trade in the second tier currently, including two from West Bromwich Albion.

Aidan Morris (Middlesbrough), Haji Wright (Coventry City), and Charlie Kelman (Charlton Athletic) are three of the others, but George Campbell and Daryl Dike are USA international colleagues of Agyemang's at the Hawthorns.

The latter has sent a message to Agyemang amid the reveal that he is injured in the long-term, with Dike no stranger to an injury himself. He took to his Instagram story to send his well-wishes.

He said: "Football's a cruel game. Praying for a speedy recovery my man ❤️✌🏿"

West Brom striker Daryl Dike's recent injury history

Dike is no stranger to Achilles issues, having had surgery twice on a tendon issue to see him miss the vast majority of games over the last few seasons. It's a shame because Dike arrived in England with huge promise after a prolific loan spell at Barnsley.

Prior to injuries holding him back, his power, pace, and finishing made him one of the Championship’s most exciting forwards. That early success earned him a move to West Brom but his progress there has been repeatedly stalled by injury. He has had other thigh issues on top of the Achilles concerns.

Even when he looks set to come back, Dike has suffered a series of serious setbacks. These issues have limited his availability and disrupted any chance of building rhythm or consistency. He has nine goals in 63 appearances over five seasons at West Brom.

Those complications have made it difficult for him to rediscover any of the form he showed at Barnsley. As a result, what once looked like a rapid rise has instead become a frustrating battle for fitness, with both player and club still hoping he can finally stay healthy.

Dike is clearly a friend of the Derby striker but he himself has had better luck lately. He has either played in or been an unused substitute in each of the last 34 games for the Baggies. But with just one assist to his name in those 20 game he has played a part in.