Newcastle United have been hit with yet another frustrating injury setback, as new signing Yoane Wissa remains sidelined and unlikely to return before the November international break.
The £55 million summer signing from Brentford has yet to make his debut for the Magpies, and fans may have to wait a little longer to see him in action.
Wissa suffered a posterior cruciate ligament injury while representing DR Congo, just a week after completing his high-profile move to St James’ Park on September 1.
Since then, the 29-year-old forward has been working tirelessly on his recovery, but progress has been slower than initially hoped. Despite some optimism earlier in the month that he could feature soon, Newcastle boss Eddie Howe has now confirmed that Wissa is “not close” to returning to full training or match action.
Speaking ahead of Newcastle’s upcoming fixtures, Howe admitted that Wissa’s rehabilitation is still ongoing and that the player needs more time to build the strength and conditioning necessary to rejoin the squad.
“It’s definitely not West Ham,” Howe said when asked about a possible comeback. “He’s working very hard. He’s on the grass, getting the fitness work in that he needs.
But I’d say he’s not close to training with the group at the moment not because of injury, but because of fitness. We’re making sure we build his robustness properly. I’m not trying to be evasive; I just don’t know when he’ll be ready to be back with the squad.”
That means Newcastle will likely continue to be without their new forward for at least two more matches the Champions League clash against Athletic Bilbao on Wednesday and the Premier League trip to Brentford on Sunday.
If he misses both, it seems increasingly likely that Wissa won’t make his long-awaited Newcastle debut until after the international break.
Despite not being able to play, Wissa has made a positive impression behind the scenes since joining the club. Howe praised his professionalism, attitude, and leadership qualities, highlighting how the player has adapted to his new environment despite the difficult circumstances.
“He has a very strong character, and that really comes across,” Howe said. “He’s been great with the players, very positive, and he’s already shown leadership qualities. He’s trying to inspire and help others, which is not easy when you’ve just arrived at a new club and immediately pick up an injury.”
The Newcastle manager also acknowledged the mental strain Wissa must be experiencing after joining the club for such a large fee only to be sidelined so soon.
“That’s a real tough mental challenge for him, especially considering his transfer fee and the expectations that come with it,” Howe continued.
“There’ll be a lot of emotions going through him right now, but the best thing he can do is stay focused on getting fit and being ready to make an impact on the pitch. We’re doing everything we can to support him through that process, and I’m confident he’ll be a big player for us once he’s fully ready.”
For Newcastle, the timing of Wissa’s injury is particularly unfortunate, coming during one of the busiest periods of the season. With Champions League, Carabao Cup, and Premier League commitments piling up, Eddie Howe’s squad is already being stretched thin.
The absence of a major attacking addition like Wissa limits the manager’s options, especially as the club aims to maintain their strong form and compete on multiple fronts.
Still, there’s a sense of optimism that when Wissa finally returns, he’ll add something special to the team. Known for his pace, power, and intelligent movement in the final third, the Congolese forward was one of Brentford’s standout performers last season.
Newcastle fans will be eager to see him bring those qualities to St James’ Park once he’s fully recovered.
For now, though, patience will be required. Howe’s cautious approach suggests that the club is determined not to rush Wissa back too soon, prioritizing his long-term fitness over short-term gains.
The wait may be frustrating, but both the manager and the supporters know that once Wissa steps onto the pitch, his energy and determination could prove well worth it.
