West Brom's Grady Diangana pushing boundaries as he rises to the challenge under Carlos Corberan

Former West Ham youngster Diangana is a quiet individual but he comes alive on the Albion flank and even more so celebrating with fans.

He has regularly waited back to individually cheer the travelling faithful with raised arms in recent away games, and does so at both Birmingham Road and Smethwick End at The Hawthorns, too.

It was a tricky 2023, in all, for the winger. He finished it in the side and begins the new year heading to Ivory Coast with his international team-mates for the African Cup of Nations, a major tournament debut. But he started it with more than six months injured, throughout the summer, from February until around September.

He felt the goodwill from supporters throughout, and that is why he looks to show appreciation.

“For me it’s another way to connect with them,” Diangana told the Express & Star. “They come here every weekend, Tuesday, to support myself and the whole team. It’s nice for me to give back in another way.

“One hundred per cent (a good connection), I’m loving it. I’ve been here for a long time now and it’s for all the support they’ve given us.”

Diangana has been a regular in Carlos Corberan’s side since his September return. He is enjoying himself with five goals – one more than the tally last term, including the recent Leeds winner – from 21 games. He is away now, until DR Congo’s tournament interest ends, but remembers the struggle of not long ago.

“A lot of people don’t understand how much we do give physically and how much we do really kill our bodies to get the three points,” added the winger who cost an initial £12million from West Ham in 2020 following a successful loan.

“We’re happy for the fans and for us as players ourselves, to know everybody is giving everything, you can’t fault that.

“For me it’s been very challenging, but a challenge I’ve accepted and I’ve wanted to push my boundaries to be able to play week in, week out. Behind closed doors I do a lot to be able to maintain or even progress my body to be able to be available.

“If you’re not available you can’t do anything. It was a tough period but it helped me a lot as well mentally. Now we’ve just look forward day by day.”

Diangana injured his foot in a 2-0 home victory over Middlesbrough in late February last year and discovered the following month he would require surgery on the ligaments. It hit his summer, meant a pre-season away from colleagues’ build-up to the new campaign.

The winger was happy to show patience, though. He wanted to get it right.

“It was a hard time but I just took it day-by-day, minute-by-minute, I didn’t try to rush back too early,” he said. “I knew it was serious even though it was a small procedure, I didn’t want to come back too early on do too much too soon or be out for a longer period.”