Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe has shared a concerning update on new signing Yoane Wissa, who is yet to make his debut following a knee injury sustained during international duty in September. The £55 million summer signing suffered the injury when his boot studs got stuck in the turf, sidelining him before he could feature for the Magpies.
With Wissa out, newcomer Nick Woltemade has had a chance to integrate and push for a starting role, while William Osula remains the only other available striker for the upcoming clash with Bournemouth, highlighting Newcastle’s lack of depth in attack.
Howe emphasized that the club won’t rush Wissa’s recovery, especially since the striker had minimal pre-season action with Brentford before his transfer. The DR Congo international’s return date remains uncertain as Newcastle prioritizes a cautious approach to his rehabilitation.
Yoane Wissa Targeting Brighton Return as Fitness Race Begins
Yoane Wissa is facing a race against time to be fit for Newcastle United’s clash with Brighton on October 18. With the Magpies in the middle of a demanding seven-match stretch over just 23 days, manager Eddie Howe is feeling the strain of limited attacking options, relying on Nick Woltemade to lead the line in Wissa’s absence.
Supporters are eager to see the £55 million striker in action, but Howe confirmed ahead of the Bournemouth game that Wissa is unlikely to return for at least another month.
Speaking in his pre-match interview, Howe addressed the injury, saying:
“It’s a tough one everyone wanted Yoane available. We did everything right as a club to manage his fitness, but once a player goes on international duty, their minutes aren’t in our control. Sadly, he picked up an injury, and now we have to manage the situation.”
Howe added that Wissa is expected to be sidelined until the next international break and is in a race to be fit for the Brighton fixture. He remains hopeful the DR Congo striker can return then, as he’s expected to play a key role once available.
Eddie Howe Faces Striker Fitness Challenge Amid Yoane Wissa’s Absence
With Yoane Wissa sidelined, Eddie Howe is under pressure to keep his remaining strikers fit and firing. During Thursday night’s match against Barcelona, Anthony Gordon led the line while Nick Woltemade was benched, despite scoring on his debut against Wolves.
Although Howe defended his decision to drop Woltemade, some believe the German might have converted key chances missed by others, such as Harvey Barnes. Woltemade, who came off with cramp in the Wolves game, admitted he was physically taxed by the pace of Premier League football after just 45 minutes on the pitch.
Adjusting to the demands of English football is understandably tough for a new arrival, but Howe must accelerate Woltemade’s adaptation to ensure Newcastle remains competitive. William Osula is another option and could step in if Woltemade isn’t ready for Sunday, though the latter is expected to start.
With Wissa unavailable, managing the fitness and form of his remaining forwards has become a top priority for Howe as Newcastle navigates a demanding run of fixtures.
