Newcastle United fans have been waiting eagerly to see Yoane Wissa make his long-awaited debut, but it seems the wait will continue a little longer.
While Eddie Howe’s side has seen a handful of players step up in recent weeks with Joelinton, Bruno Guimarães, Dan Burn, and Jacob Murphy all getting on the scoresheet the team still hasn’t quite rediscovered that explosive attacking rhythm that became their trademark last season.
Many believe Wissa’s introduction could be the spark to reignite that form, but his return is still some weeks away.
Reports suggest that Wissa will not be available for Newcastle’s upcoming Premier League clash against Brentford, with early December now viewed as the most realistic target for his return to competitive action.
According to Craig Hope of The Mail, this delay is not due to any new injury setback but rather a cautious, structured approach to ensure the DR Congo forward returns at full strength. Wissa has been progressing well in his recovery, recently returning to light training on grass and steadily building his fitness.
However, Newcastle’s medical and coaching staff are determined not to rush him back too soon after his knee injury, which he picked up on international duty shortly after his £55 million deadline-day move.
Eddie Howe reportedly has a “six-week” fitness plan in place to help Wissa regain his top physical condition, treating this recovery period almost like a personal pre-season.
The club may even organize a behind-closed-doors friendly in the coming weeks to help him build match sharpness before rejoining full competitive play. Initial optimism suggested Wissa might feature before the November international break, but that timeline has clearly shifted.
Even Newcastle’s home game against Manchester City later in November looks too soon for his comeback, meaning supporters will have to be patient for a few more weeks.
There is, however, a more positive twist to Wissa’s situation. In what appears to be a gesture of gratitude for the club’s support during his challenging rehabilitation, Wissa is reportedly prepared to remain with Newcastle during the upcoming African Cup of Nations instead of joining DR Congo.
The Congolese FA will likely push for his involvement, especially as they aim to better their fourth-place finish from the 2023 tournament, but it’s believed a compromise could be reached.
For Wissa, repaying Newcastle’s faith, proving his worth in the Premier League, and contributing to the club’s Champions League campaign may now take priority over representing his nation in January.
Meanwhile, Wissa’s international absence continues to affect both club and country. DR Congo are set to compete in the second-round play-offs for the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, facing Cameroon and potentially either Nigeria or Gabon.
Unfortunately, Wissa will have to watch from the sidelines, hoping his teammates can advance without him while he continues his road to recovery.
Despite the setback, Newcastle have at least one silver lining: the club is expected to receive a compensation payout from FIFA under its Club Protection Programme. Since Wissa sustained his injury while on international duty and has been sidelined for more than 28 days, the club qualifies for financial reimbursement.
FIFA’s scheme will reportedly cover Wissa’s wages from October 7th onward, up to a maximum of £6.5 million. While that figure doesn’t make up for losing one of their most anticipated summer signings, it does help offset some of the costs incurred during his absence.
Ultimately, the message from Eddie Howe’s camp remains consistent there’s no rush. The priority is ensuring Wissa returns fully fit, ready to deliver the pace, movement, and goalscoring threat that convinced Newcastle to spend big on him in the first place.
Fans will no doubt be eager to see him in black and white sooner rather than later, but both the player and the club know that patience now could pay off handsomely later in the season.
If all goes according to plan, December could mark the start of a new chapter for both Wissa and Newcastle one where the team’s attacking spark is reignited just in time for the crucial winter period.
