The excitement of a big-money move to a new club is a feeling every footballer dreams of. For Yoane Wissa, that dream became a reality when he finally completed his transfer to Newcastle United on deadline day.
After a long summer of speculation, the striker had secured his move from Brentford and was looking forward to getting started on Tyneside.
Unfortunately, that excitement has been put on hold. While on international duty with DR Congo, Wissa suffered a knee injury, meaning his debut for the Magpies will have to wait.
The timing of the injury could hardly be worse. He had not even completed his first full training session with his new teammates before he was sidelined.
While the initial fear was that the injury could be a long-term issue like an ACL tear, the club has since received more positive news from a specialist.
The injury is not as severe as first thought, but it will still require a significant period of recovery.
Manager Eddie Howe has now confirmed the expected timeline for Wissa’s return. The forward is likely to be sidelined until after the next international break in October.
This means the earliest fans can expect to see him in a black and white shirt would be the Premier League match against Brighton & Hove Albion on October 18th.
Howe did leave a small door open for a slightly earlier return, noting that recovery times are “always flexible,” but the club is expected to be very cautious with his rehabilitation.
The absolute priority is to ensure he is fully healed and ready to compete, rather than rushing him back and risking a further setback.
In the meantime, Wissa will be forced to watch from the sidelines as his new team embarks on a packed and thrilling schedule.
He will miss some massive fixtures, including the glamorous UEFA Champions League opener against Barcelona at a buzzing St James’ Park.
He will also be absent for Premier League matches against Bournemouth, Arsenal, and Nottingham Forest, a Carabao Cup tie against Bradford City, and a European clash with Union Saint-Gilloise.
It is a frustrating way to begin his Newcastle career, but the focus is on getting him back to full fitness for the long season ahead.
His absence places a greater immediate responsibility on the shoulders of another new signing, Nick Woltemade.
The German striker made a dream start to his Newcastle career by scoring the winning goal on his debut against Wolverhampton Wanderers.
He will now be the main man leading the line, and the club will be hoping he can continue his rich vein of form.
Despite the injury blow, the mood around the club is incredibly positive, especially with the visit of Barcelona.
Manager Eddie Howe has spoken about the “magical feel” of being drawn against the Spanish giants and is genuinely excited to see how his team matches up against one of the best sides in Europe.
The players and fans will be hoping to recreate the incredible atmosphere from the last Champions League campaign, which included a famous 4-1 victory over Paris Saint-Germain.
For Yoane Wissa, the waiting game continues. He will be working hard behind the scenes with the medical team, aiming to return stronger and finally get the opportunity to show the Newcastle supporters exactly what he can do.
