Newcastle rocked by seven-game injury blow & Yoane Wissa ruled out vs Wolves
The excitement surrounding a new signing is one of the best feelings in football, but sometimes, the reality of the sport delivers a cruel and immediate setback.
For Newcastle United and their fans, the international break has ended with deeply frustrating news that will significantly impact the team’s attacking options for the crucial weeks ahead.
Yoane Wissa, the club’s major summer acquisition from Brentford, has returned from international duty with DR Congo not as a hero fresh from scoring two goals in two games, but as an injury concern that has left manager Eddie Howe unable to confirm when he will make his long-awaited debut.
Wissa’s time with his national team started in brilliant fashion. He marked his first appearance of the new season with a goal in a commanding 4-1 win over South Sudan, a performance that seemed to confirm he was arriving on Tyneside in perfect form.
He followed that up by scoring again just four days later against Senegal, putting DR Congo 2-0 up and seemingly on course for a famous victory.
However, the match ended in heartbreak. Not only did Senegal mount a stunning comeback to win 3-2 with a late winner, but the victory was sealed just minutes after Wissa was forced to withdraw from the action with a knee injury.
The initial assessment at Newcastle has confirmed the worst fears: he will play no part in this weekend’s Premier League match against Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Manager Eddie Howe met with the player for the first time since his return and confirmed the disappointing update, stating that Wissa is “feeling the effects of the injury” and will require further specialist assessment to determine the full extent of the damage.
The club is now in a waiting game, unsure if he will even be available for the glamorous Champions League opener against Barcelona next week.
This blow is compounded by another significant absence in midfield. Jacob Ramsey, the £39 million signing from Aston Villa, is expected to be sidelined until after the October international break.
The 24-year-old’s full debut away at Leeds United was cut short at halftime after a tackle with former teammate Sean Longstaff caused his ankle to swell significantly.
This means he is likely to miss the next seven games across all competitions, a major setback for a player the club had hoped would quickly become a key part of the engine room.
Amidst this disappointing news, there is one positive update. The powerful midfielder Joelinton has returned to full training and is available for selection after missing the Leeds match with a muscle injury.
His return provides a much-needed boost of energy and physicality to the center of the park. For Eddie Howe, navigating these early-season injuries is a test of his squad’s depth and resilience.
The team will need to find a way to win without two key new signings, relying on the players who are fit and ready to step up.
For the fans, the wait to see their new attacking duo of Wissa and Nick Woltemade in action together has been unfortunately extended.
