Newcastle United’s preparations for their Champions League clash against Athletic Club were hit by an untimely injury setback as striker William Osula was forced to withdraw from the matchday squad shortly before kick-off.
Despite the disruption, Eddie Howe’s side still managed to claim a convincing 2-0 victory at St James’ Park, extending their winning run in Europe to three games and moving up to sixth in their group with nine points from a possible twelve.
Goals from Dan Burn and Joelinton sealed the win, but the evening was clouded by growing injury concerns for the Magpies.
Osula’s absence came as a late and unexpected blow. The 22-year-old forward had arrived at the stadium as usual and was named among the substitutes when the team sheet was released at 6:45 p.m.
However, only moments later, Newcastle confirmed that the Danish striker had been removed from the squad due to an ongoing ankle issue that had been troubling him for several weeks.
“Will Osula will no longer be on the bench this evening due to discomfort in his ankle,” the club announced. “He will be assessed further in the coming days. Hope to see you back soon, Will.”
Although Osula didn’t take part in the pre-match warm-up, he was seen celebrating with his teammates after the final whistle, showing his continued support despite the disappointment.
The young striker has endured a stop-start season so far, managing just two starts but contributing three goals and an assist across all competitions.
His form has been promising when fit, but the recurring ankle problem has prevented him from gaining full momentum and consistency in Howe’s lineup.
Eddie Howe has previously acknowledged that the club has been carefully managing Osula’s condition. Following Newcastle’s win over Fulham last month, the head coach explained how the medical staff were balancing his game time to avoid aggravating the injury further.
“The ankle injury that he’s got is slightly holding him back because we don’t want to make it worse,” Howe said. “I want him to feel really good when he’s on the pitch, so we’re managing it carefully. Fundamentally, it’s his attitude that stands out he’s determined, he wants to play, and he’s incredibly committed.”
Before the Athletic Club game, Howe held discussions with Osula about his fitness, and together they decided it was not worth the risk of playing him, even from the bench. “We’ve been in discussions with him at length about his ankle in the last few days,” Howe told The Gazette.
“We talked about whether he’s fit enough to perform at the level we need and whether he feels comfortable doing so. After that discussion, we felt it was best to withdraw him and make sure he gets his ankle 100% right.”
Osula is expected to undergo further assessments before Newcastle’s upcoming Premier League fixture against Brentford, but there are growing indications he may be rested to allow full recovery.
Given the physical demands of the schedule and the importance of having him fit long-term, the coaching staff may opt to give him an additional two weeks to heal properly rather than risk aggravating the issue.
To make matters worse, Newcastle could be without another forward for the trip to Brentford. Recent reports suggest that £55 million summer signing Yoane Wissa is a major doubt due to a knee problem picked up in training.
Should both players miss out, Nick Woltemade could find himself as the club’s only available senior striker for the weekend, leaving Howe with limited attacking options.
Osula’s time at Newcastle has been somewhat frustrating since his £10 million move from Sheffield United in 2024. Despite showing flashes of promise and attracting transfer interest, including a near-move to Eintracht Frankfurt on deadline day, the forward remains determined to establish himself at St James’ Park.
Sources close to the club insist that while interest is expected to resurface in January, the plan for now is for Osula to stay and continue competing for his place.
The situation serves as another reminder of Newcastle’s ongoing battle with injuries this season, as Howe continues to juggle European ambitions with domestic challenges.
While the victory over Athletic Club provided a timely boost, the latest fitness concerns underline the need for squad depth and careful management of key players during a congested campaign.
For Osula, the focus now shifts to recovery and returning stronger to play his part in what promises to be a crucial stretch of fixtures for the Magpies.
