'Contracts don't mean too much...Dike hasn't had many minutes for four seasons' - Boss delivers West Brom striker update

Striker Dike has made just five substitute appearances this term having returned to availability towards the end of October from a muscle injury picked up on the eve of the campaign.

It was the latest injury setback for the United States international, who has endured four injury-hit years at The Hawthorns since a £7million move and is now in the final year of his contract.

Albion boss Mason, who leads his side into a Boxing Day home clash against Bristol City, emphasised the point about "fighting for everything" when asked about Dike's future prospects at the club.

"I think for everyone and it should always be the case that when you represent a club like this you need to earn everything, you need to fight for everything," Mason said.

"And regardless if players have got three years left on their deal or six months left, every day and every time they're in this building representing this club, there's a certain level of expectation they should be hitting.

"That's the demand for all of the players, regardless of contractual situations."

Mason added: "We have players on big deals and they left, they left once the season started. So contracts don't mean too much in my mind. There needs to be a mentality that you come in and give your best every day.

"I know Dike hasn't had a lot of minutes this season, but he's also not had a lot of minutes in the last four seasons since he's been at the club. We're building him up to be available.

"He's competing with someone at the moment that scored seven goals in eight matches. So there's that side of it as well, which is good. That's what you need for a club like this. There needs to be competition. There needs to be people being pushed and pushing each other to drive performance."

Dike has endured, among others, two ruptured Achilles injuries in his time at Albion and has spent well in excess of two years battling back from a series of injuries.

Albion's other striker options are Aune Heggebo, who Mason referenced has been in fine scoring form of late, and Josh Maja, whose season has also struggled to get up and running after a long-term injury setback. Maja is also in the final year of his deal.