Newcastle United have finally received some long-awaited good news, and it comes in the form of Yoane Wissa stepping back onto the grass with his teammates for the first time since suffering the worst injury of his career.
His return to training has not only lifted the mood inside the club but has also provided a significant emotional and practical boost to Nick Woltemade, who has carried an enormous amount of weight in the forward line this season.
Wissa has yet to make a single competitive appearance for Newcastle since his arrival, as a serious knee injury ruled him out back in September.
The club has spent the last few months managing his rehabilitation carefully, putting him through what is essentially a pre-season programme to rebuild his conditioning, strength, and match readiness.
Anyone in football knows that losing a pre-season is often more damaging than the injury itself. Without that foundation, players can take months to regain rhythm, sharpness, and endurance, as seen with several high-profile cases across Europe.
Even Alexander Isak’s struggles at Liverpool this season show how hard it is for a forward to instantly perform without the right preparation.
With Wissa sidelined for so long, Woltemade has been left with little choice but to play almost every important fixture, carrying the responsibility of leading Newcastle’s attack with minimal support.
The German forward has handled the pressure admirably, but the physical and mental demands of being the only consistent option up top can wear down even the most experienced players. The hope inside the club has always been that Wissa would eventually return to ease that burden, offering depth, competition, and a different attacking profile.
That moment finally arrived this week. According to The Daily Mail, Wissa was seen training alongside the full Newcastle United squad, taking part in ball work for the first time since his injury.
While he will not be rushed into the weekend clash against Everton, seeing him moving freely and participating in sessions has triggered a wave of relief across the training ground. Coaches, medical staff, and players alike have been waiting for this breakthrough, especially given the repeated setbacks that delayed his recovery.
If his progress continues smoothly, Wissa could be available by the time Newcastle travel to face Sunderland in mid-December a fixture where his energy, movement, and physicality would be greatly welcomed.
For Woltemade, the timing could not be better. Having another high-level forward to share minutes with will not only reduce the load on his shoulders but also push him to maintain sharpness through positive competition.
Inside the club, the overall reaction to Wissa’s return tells its own story. There has been a mix of relief, optimism, and perhaps a little frustration over how long the road back has taken.
Newcastle invested heavily to bring Wissa in, and at his age, he is not a signing made with future resale value in mind. The intention was for him to make an instant and sustained impact on the team, offering experience, versatility, and goals.
Instead, his injury became a major talking point behind the scenes, and while nobody is at fault the incident was a freak occurrence the delay created real challenges for Eddie Howe’s squad planning.
Seeing him back with the group marks an important milestone, one that everyone hopes will be the turning point. The club desperately needs more depth in attack, especially with a packed schedule ahead and crucial fixtures looming.
Wissa’s presence alone changes the dynamic. He brings power, unpredictability, and a direct approach that can unsettle defenders and open up space for those around him.
Most importantly, it signals that the worst is finally behind him. For a player who has been forced to watch from the sidelines while adapting to a new club in a new league, this moment represents a fresh start.
For Newcastle, it is the beginning of finally getting what they paid for a forward ready to contribute, compete, and strengthen the squad at a time when every option matters.
Now that Wissa has taken this important step, the hope is that he can progress without further setbacks. If that happens, Newcastle’s attack could look far more balanced and dangerous heading into the festive period.
For Woltemade, it means support is on the way. For the club, it means belief is returning. For Wissa, it means the long wait is nearly over.
