Yoane Wissa's injury comeback has been further delayed by several weeks after Newcastle sent him for a meeting with a specialist. The £55 million summer signing will now miss at least five more matches after a setback. The DR Congo international was expected to make his first appearance against Brighton later this month, but those hopes have been dashed.
Wissa's comeback hopes crushed
Newcastle boss Eddie Howe has revealed that following a specialist consultation this week, Wissa will need another two weeks before he can be considered match-ready. That timeline now pushes a potential debut to November 2 against West Ham, leaving fans and teammates frustrated by the delay.
AdvertisementGetty ImagesMisfortune haunts Wissa from the start
Wissa’s misfortune began before he could even get properly involved at Tyneside, as the striker sustained the knee injury during international duty with DR Congo just a week after joining from Brentford. Remarkably, he hadn’t yet trained with his Newcastle teammates when the blow struck.
Howe explained: "Yoane saw a specialist again yesterday for a check-up on his knee. We probably think now it’ll be eight weeks rather than six from the point of the injury. It’s no recurrence or problem, just slightly longer."
Woltemade takes the spotlight
In Wissa’s absence, fellow summer signing Nick Woltemade has stepped up to lead the line. The £69 million ($93m) German has seized the chance, scoring three goals in four Premier League starts. With Wissa sidelined, Woltemade has shouldered the attacking responsibilities, proving his worth early in the campaign.
Getty Images SportNewcastle fixtures: Which games will Wissa miss?
There is genuine frustration inside the club that Wissa, who had been largely injury-free during four seasons at Brentford, has hit trouble immediately upon joining Newcastle. The timing could hardly be worse, with Howe hoping to field his full-strength squad as the season heats up with a fixture against Nottingham Forest on Sunday lined up next. Despite the setback, the club remains optimistic about Wissa’s eventual contribution. His Premier League experience and goal-scoring pedigree mean that, when fit, he is expected to be a key figure in Newcastle’s front line.