Yoane Wissa remains short of full match fitness and is still not ready to play a complete 90 minutes for Newcastle United, even as Eddie Howe openly admitted that Nick Woltemade was beginning to feel the strain during the painful derby defeat to Sunderland.
The situation leaves Newcastle in a difficult position at a crucial stage of the season, with key matches coming thick and fast and very few ideal solutions available up front.
Woltemade has carried a heavy workload in recent weeks. He has started 14 of Newcastle’s last 15 matches across all competitions, and while his commitment cannot be questioned, the signs of fatigue were clear at the Stadium of Light.
The forward looked off the pace, struggled to make an impact, and failed to provide the threat Newcastle needed in such a high-pressure game.
His second-half own goal, which ultimately decided the derby, was cruel and largely accidental, but it summed up a frustrating afternoon where very little went right for him or for the team.
Beyond the own goal, Woltemade’s overall performance fell below the standards he has set this season. He found it difficult to hold the ball up, lost possession too easily, and rarely troubled the Sunderland defence.
For a player who has been asked to lead the line almost every week, it was a reminder that even the most willing performers need rest and support. Howe now faces a tough call ahead of Wednesday’s Carabao Cup quarter-final against Fulham, with a place in the semi-finals on the line.
In an ideal world, Woltemade would be taken out of the firing line and replaced by Wissa, but that option is still not fully available. The summer signing from Brentford is working his way back from a posterior cruciate ligament injury and has yet to start a match for Newcastle.
His involvement so far has been limited and carefully managed. After being introduced late in the Champions League draw with Bayer Leverkusen, Wissa was given just 15 minutes against Sunderland, despite Newcastle chasing the game for much of the second half.
That limited role highlights the club’s cautious approach to his recovery. Howe has made it clear that while Wissa is progressing, he is not yet ready to shoulder the demands of a full match.
The manager confirmed that the minutes Wissa played at the weekend were planned and controlled, with the bigger picture firmly in mind. Rushing him back could risk further injury, something Newcastle simply cannot afford.
If neither Woltemade nor Wissa is deemed suitable to start against Fulham, Howe may once again turn to Anthony Gordon as a central striker.
It is a solution he has used before, and while Gordon offers pace and energy, it is far from ideal in such a high-stakes cup tie. Playing him out of position weakens Newcastle in other areas and underlines the lack of depth currently available in attack.
Howe was honest in his assessment after the Sunderland defeat. He acknowledged Woltemade’s workload and admitted that fatigue had played its part, while also stressing that Wissa is still some way from full fitness. Decisions will be made closer to kick-off on Wednesday, but none of the options are perfect.
The derby loss has left Newcastle in urgent need of a response. With Fulham up next in the Carabao Cup and Chelsea visiting St James’ Park in the Premier League soon after, momentum is essential.
Howe insists that one bad result should not define the season, but he also recognises that time is running out to find consistency.
This campaign has been marked by stops and starts, with Newcastle struggling to build the rhythm and confidence they crave. Injuries, fatigue and disrupted selections have all played a part. Wednesday’s match now takes on huge importance, not just for silverware, but for belief.
Newcastle must show character, quality and resilience, even if they are not yet at full strength. The season is still alive, but the margin for error is getting smaller with every game.
