More great news on Yoane Wissa as £55m signing passes behind-the-scenes test
It feels like a lifetime has passed since transfer deadline day, when Yoane Wissa completed his dramatic £55m move from Brentford.
The team has been crying out for an extra goalscorer to help ease the burden on Nick Woltemade, who has done superbly so far but needs support and another quality option to rotate with.
With Wissa not being called up to DR Congo’s AFCON squad in a major boost that was confirmed on Monday, the forward’s long-awaited debut couldn’t come soon enough. And it sounds like we could see the 29-year-old very soon...
Wissa back for Burnley?
The Telegraph’s Luke Edwards has hinted that Yoane Wissa could make a surprise appearance on the bench this weekend when we host Burnley at St James’ Park.
It's emerged that, after playing in his first behind-closed-doors game last Saturday, the striker came through another 11 vs 11 game on Wednesday afternoon with no issues, meaning he's hoping to make thee squad on Saturday.
Writing on X yesterday, Edwards comments “Understand Yoane Wissa came through another 11 vs 11 game today (Wednesday) and there is a chance he will be on the bench against Burnley at the weekend.”
Keen to repay the faith that the club has shown him so far in his Newcastle career, Wissa is understood to be pushing to be included in Howe’s squad on Saturday, as Craig Hope at The Mail also reports.
Right now, youngster Sean Neave is the only dedicated striker option available as a back up to Woltemade, with Will Osula currently sidelined with a persistent ankl issue.
And if Wissa was to find himself coming off the bench this weekend, it would be the 29-year-old’s first taste of competitive club football in over six months, when he last played on the final day for Brentford.
Howe's previous quotes
Understandably cautious about not wanting to risk Wissa’s fitness by rushing him back too soon, Eddie Howe looks to be doing all he can to make sure Wissa is at maximum fitness before he’s safely integrated into the first team squad.
Discussing his return earlier this week, the boss said: “He participated in an 11v11 training game while we were at Everton. I think he'll have another one at some stage this week. And yeah, we'll see how close he is.
“He's working back, he's doing well, everything's positive but he will be back involved when we think he's able to contribute to the group and has a minimal chance of re-injury."
There’s going to be a lot of expectation on Wissa to deliver almost immediately: having missed out on over three months of action, Wissa is coming into the team at such a crucial point of our campaign, where Champions League and Carabao Cup progression both hang in the balance.
The gaffer, however, wants to ensure Wissa’s minutes are indeed managed well, and reduce any unnecessary pressure or expectation placed on Wissa.
“Whenever he comes back, I'm sure from his perspective and of course from our perspective, that first goal will be important.
“But I don't want to put too much pressure on him. He's still a little bit away from that, he's got some more work to do, hopefully, he comes through that and then we can see him back on the pitch.”
