For any football fan, the international break can be a time of mixed emotions. It’s a pause in the club season, a chance for players to represent their countries, but it also comes with a nervous feeling. Supporters cross their fingers, hoping their key players return fit and healthy.
For Newcastle United, the last international period brought some frustrating news. Their new striker, Yoane Wissa, who had just completed a big move from Brentford, suffered a knee injury while playing for the Democratic Republic of Congo. It was a disappointing setback for both the player and the club, delaying his eagerly awaited debut.
Since that moment, the main question from fans has been a simple one: when will we see him in a black and white shirt?
The good news is that the wait now appears to have a clear and positive timeline. Manager Eddie Howe has provided an update, and it is an encouraging one. He confirmed that Wissa is “on track” to make his return to action after the upcoming international break.
This means that if his recovery continues to progress smoothly, he could be available for selection for the Premier League match against Brighton on October 18th.
This is a significant boost for a team that has sometimes struggled to turn possession into goals. Wissa’s arrival was meant to add a new dimension to the attack, and his eventual debut will feel like a new signing.
Howe was careful to manage expectations, noting that the striker has not yet begun full team training on the grass. He is still in the rehabilitation phase, working on his own and with the medical staff to build up his strength and fitness.
The next seven days will be crucial, as he is scheduled to step up his recovery program. The hope is that this will pave the way for him to integrate back into full training with the rest of the squad soon.
In the same update, Howe also addressed another major injury concern. The sight of defender Tino Livramento being stretchered off against Arsenal was a heart-stopping moment for everyone connected with the club.
The immediate fear was a long-term, season-ending injury. However, the manager delivered news that, while still concerning, was far more positive than initially feared. Livramento has sustained a serious knee injury that will keep him out for a significant period, but crucially, he has not suffered any damage to his ACL.
The expected recovery time is now set at roughly six to eight weeks. While losing a player of Livramento’s quality for up to two months is a real blow, the overwhelming feeling is one of relief.
The club and the player have avoided the worst-case scenario. An ACL injury could have kept him out for the better part of a year, so a timeline measured in weeks is a much more manageable situation.
It means that instead of potentially missing the rest of the season, Livramento is likely to be back in contention around the time of the next international break in November.
He is expected to miss around ten matches, but the structure of his knee is intact, which is the most important thing for his long-term career.
For Eddie Howe, managing his squad through these injury challenges is a key part of his job. The news on both fronts provides some clarity.
He knows that he will be without a key defender for a couple of months, but he can also look forward to finally unleashing his new striker in a few weeks’ time.
It’s a reminder of the physical demands of the modern game and the fine margins that can influence a team’s season. For now, the Newcastle faithful can be patient, knowing that two important players are on a clear path back to the pitch.
