1<\/p>\n But Dykes, 29, hopes to use the close season to get back to peak fitness.<\/p>\n He said: \u201cIt\u2019s been my most difficult campaign with injuries. Getting injured before the Euros was very disappointing, and being injured during the back end of last season too and being out for a long time has been really tough.<\/p>\n \u201cBut I was back on the grass towards the end of the month and I\u2019ve been working a lot in the gym.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m feeling really good. Being injured and being in a boot for so long, you have to focus on other things.<\/p>\n Read more Football stories<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ve been focusing on working as much as I can to put a lot of muscle on, and make sure I come back in the best possible shape.<\/p>\n \u201cIf you feel good on the pitch, you can perform. That\u2019s what I aim to do.<\/p>\n \u201cI didn\u2019t want to go down to League One<\/a>, but what they are trying to do for the future at Birmingham<\/a> is something that appealed to me.<\/p>\n \u201cThis season was a step backwards but it was two steps forward as well. We had a great campaign, we beat the world record for points in a season \u2014 111 points.<\/p>\n \u201cThe way Birmingham is growing and the way I\u2019m feeling, it\u2019s going to be a very successful future. Hopefully I can be a part of that.”<\/p>\n Dykes was a key man in Scotland\u2019s 2022 World Cup<\/a> qualifiers with key goals, including three winners against Moldova, Israel<\/a>, Austria<\/a> and the Faroes.<\/p>\n He believes he can recapture that form \u2014 despite not having scored a goal for his country since the win in Norway<\/a> in June 2023.<\/p>\n Dykes added: \u201cThe best feeling in the world is scoring goals.<\/p>\n \u201cI went on a great run for Scotland in the last World Cup qualifying campaign, I got big goals when we needed them. That\u2019s what I aim to do again.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ve been stuck on nine goals for a little bit now so I\u2019m desperate to hit double figures.<\/p>\n \u201cThe World Cup is the aim. I was lucky enough to play in the first Euros we qualified for, now I want to be there next summer too.<\/p>\n \u201cIf we qualify for the World Cup it would be absolutely amazing for the whole country.\u201d<\/p>\n Dykes has been left out of Steve Clarke<\/a>\u2019s squad for the friendlies against Iceland and Liechtenstein, but he insists they are vital to rebuild morale in the Scotland squad.<\/p>\n He said: \u201cThey are definitely important games. It can be difficult, having friendlies in the summer because it\u2019s a long season for boys, and there will be some guys playing with injuries.<\/p>\n \u201cBut there will be boys looking forward to being in a team environment and getting some minutes to get ready for next season.\u201d<\/p>\n Injuries aside, Dykes also spent eight days in hospital after being diagnosed with pneumonia two years ago, and it took him a while to recover.<\/p>\n He added: \u201cI\u2019ve been through a little bit, in the hospital with health stuff. You\u2019ve just got to get through it \u2014 it builds your character and makes you stronger in the long run.<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s why I\u2019ve switched my brain to think about the positives of some things, like going out to the Euros last summer, and just being around the boys and doing a little bit of TV work there.\u201d<\/p>\n Dykes has tipped Blues midfielder Marc Leonard \u2014 a former Rangers<\/a> youth player \u2014 as someone Clarke should be watching.<\/p>\n Read more on the Scottish Sun<\/p>\n He said: \u201cI definitely think he could make the step up. He hasn\u2019t featured in the full Scotland squad yet but he\u2019a a great player.<\/p>\n \u201cFrom what I\u2019ve seen of Marc he\u2019s definitely got a future, and he could be someone we look to going forward.\u201d<\/p>\n![\"Lyndon](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/lyndon-dykes-event-new-jd-992859957.jpg\")
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