Newcastle United supporters continue to wait for their first proper glimpse of Yoane Wissa in black and white, as Eddie Howe still cannot say when the club’s big summer signing will finally make his debut.
The excitement that surrounded his £55million arrival has quickly turned into frustration, with a persistent knee injury stopping him from taking a single competitive step onto the pitch at St James’ Park.
When Wissa first signed, the belief was that he would slot straight into the team and add a different kind of energy to Newcastle’s attack. Instead, the fanbase has been left in the dark, hoping each week that this would be the moment he finally appears.
There had been optimism that he might feature against Everton next Saturday, but those hopes have faded. Reports now suggest that Wissa could be out until December, meaning at least three more games will go by without the 29-year-old taking part.
Eddie Howe has now spoken again about the situation, and even he cannot give a firm answer. The Newcastle boss admitted that he still cannot confirm when Wissa will be fit enough to play.
It is not the news supporters wanted to hear, especially with the club needing all the attacking options they can get during a demanding stretch of fixtures.
Speaking at his press conference ahead of the clash with Manchester City, Howe gave a small update on Wissa’s progress. While the striker will not feature against the champions and has not yet been able to train with the rest of the squad, Howe insisted that the player is making positive steps behind the scenes.
He explained that Wissa is currently working closely with the sports science team and going through what is essentially a mini pre-season to rebuild strength and fitness.
According to Howe, he has been improving steadily and looks better with every session, but the manager still cannot put a date on when he will be ready for full first-team training, let alone match action.
Time, however, is not on Newcastle’s side. The original hope was that Wissa would have already made an impact by now, offering a new option up front and helping carry the goal-scoring load in a season where injuries and fatigue have taken their toll on the squad.
Instead, the club finds itself approaching December while one of its most expensive signings remains unavailable, and the wait for his debut grows longer.
There has also been ongoing debate about the £55million spent to bring Wissa to Tyneside. Some supporters have questioned whether the fee was justified, especially as the striker has not yet kicked a ball for the club.
Howe addressed the subject directly, acknowledging that the situation is far from ideal. He admitted that after committing such a significant amount of money, dealing with an early setback like this is difficult. Still, he insisted that the club must manage the situation properly and trust that the player will eventually deliver what they believe he is capable of.
To make matters more complicated, there is now the looming issue of the Africa Cup of Nations. DR Congo are expected to name Wissa in their squad for the tournament, which runs from December 21 to January 18.
If he recovers in time, it would be almost impossible to imagine him turning down the chance to represent his country on a major stage. For Newcastle, that could mean an even longer wait before their new number nine becomes available, adding another layer of uncertainty.
For now, fans can only wait and hope that Wissa’s recovery continues smoothly. While the updates from Howe are encouraging, the lack of a clear return date keeps the situation clouded in uncertainty.
Newcastle believe that their new striker will eventually prove his worth, but as the games roll on and the months move forward, the pressure grows for their big signing to finally step onto the pitch and show everyone what he was brought in to do.
