Newcastle United fans were excited to see their new striker, Yoane Wissa, finally pull on the famous black and white shirt.
Many had hoped this weekend’s Premier League match against Wolverhampton Wanderers would be the moment. Unfortunately, manager Eddie Howe has confirmed that will not be the case.
The 29-year-old forward picked up a knee injury while playing for his national team during the recent international break, and his debut has been postponed.
This is a frustrating piece of luck for the Magpies. The club signed Wissa from Brentford for a significant fee, and a major part of his appeal was his famous durability and consistent availability.
Now, before even kicking a ball for his new team, he finds himself on the treatment table. This unexpected setback means that young German striker Nick Woltemade is now poised to lead the line against Wolves.
While the club has faith in Woltemade’s potential, it certainly throws a wrench into the original plan, which was to introduce him to the Premier League gradually with Wissa bearing the main goalscoring burden.
The immediate question on everyone’s mind is just how long Wissa will be sidelined. The concern is especially acute with a massive UEFA Champions League fixture against Spanish giants Barcelona looming just a few days after the Wolves game.
The prospect of facing such a formidable opponent without a key new signing is far from ideal.
There is, however, a small glimmer of hope. According to a detailed update from Daily Mail journalist Craig Hope, the initial news on the injury might not be all bad.
Hope reported that, based on his information, Wissa’s knee injury is not believed to be a serious one. In fact, there is still an outside chance the striker could be available for the Barcelona match.
Hope was careful to temper expectations, wisely noting that a player’s own optimism must be balanced with medical reality.
He referenced the situation with defender Sven Botman, where initial hopes were dashed by a specialist’s diagnosis, suggesting the club will wait for a full expert evaluation before making any final decisions.
A look at Wissa’s recent history explains why this injury is so surprising. Since joining Brentford in 2021, he has been a model of reliability.
In his first season, he missed a handful of games with an ankle issue, but then went two full campaigns without any injury-related absences whatsoever.
It was this incredible fitness record that made him such an attractive target for Newcastle, especially as they sought to move on from the frequently injured Callum Wilson.
The irony that he is injured before his debut is not lost on anyone associated with the club.
For now, all eyes are on Nick Woltemade. The young forward now has a huge opportunity to make an immediate impact and show he can compete at the highest level.
The club and its supporters will be desperately hoping that Wissa’s recovery is swift and straightforward.
The season is a long one, and they will need their new number nine fit and firing as soon as possible to achieve their goals both in the Premier League and on the European stage.
The coming days will be crucial, as the medical team works to determine the exact extent of the problem and provide a clearer timeline for his return.
