English Championship sides keep an eye on Dykes
BRENTFORD and Queens Park Rangers have joined the clutch of English Championship admirers looking at Livingston striker Lyndon Dykes.
The towering 24-year-old, who led the line in yesterday’s 3-3 draw at St Mirren, has scored six goals this season and proved a problem opponent for both title challengers Celtic and Rangers.
The Australian-born forward has impressed observers from the English second tier with his quick, athletic play and prowess in the air despite Livingston struggling to match their early-season form of last year.
Scouts from Cardiff, Middlesbrough and Hull have all checked on his progress as he continues to make an impact in the Ladbrokes Premiership.
Brentford have interest from Premier League sides in their highly-rated 13-goal Ollie Watkins and Said Benrahma, while Hull are also braced for English top-flight bids for Jarrod Bowen, who has netted 15 times in the Championship so far this season.
They are keen to find alternatives and recognise Dykes, who is under contract until 2022, could represent a relative bargain in an inflated market.
Dykes is eligible to play for Scotland as his parents hail from Dumfries.
St Mirren manager Jim Goodwin, meanwhile, was pleased to note how his 19-year-old debutant defender Scott Glover coped with the threat of Dykes yesterday.
‘Scott has done really well in reserves and Challenge Cup against senior teams,’ explained Goodwin.
‘He plays that position well and was flung in the deep end against a team that, with all due respect, is the most direct in the league in terms of the amount of long balls, long throws and free-kicks coming into your box. He stood up to be counted.’
After losing Kyle McAllister to a hamstring injury early in the second half, Goodwin is hoping for a positive bulletin. With defensive injuries causing the boss grief, he could do without his problems extending into midfield.
‘Kyle was struggling with his hamstring and lower back. We just have too many injuries at the moment,’ added Goodwin.