Yoane Wissa is finally edging towards the moment Newcastle United fans have been waiting for, and his long-awaited debut could arrive sooner than expected.
After months on the sidelines, he is now close to being named in the match-day squad for the clash against Burnley, marking a major step in his journey back to the pitch. The 29-year-old has not yet played a single game for the Magpies since his £55million move from Brentford on the final day of last summer’s transfer window.
A knee injury picked up while representing DR Congo stopped his Newcastle career before it even began, but he has been pushing tirelessly in training to get himself ready again.
His injury came shortly after he joined Newcastle. Wissa scored and assisted in DR Congo’s impressive 4–1 win over South Sudan in September, only to suffer the setback in a 3–2 defeat to Senegal.
The timing could not have been worse for a player hoping to make an instant impact as Newcastle’s new number nine. Instead, he has spent half a year building strength, recovering fitness, and preparing for the day he can finally pull on the black-and-white shirt in competitive action.
Behind the scenes, Newcastle’s performance director James Bunce has played a major role, guiding Wissa through the intense work required to return to full fitness.
Their efforts are now paying off. Wissa is back in team training, moving well, and putting himself in a position to be considered for selection. Eddie Howe and his staff are expected to make their final decision a day before the Burnley game, but all signs point towards his return being close.
What has made his comeback even more impressive is the decision he took earlier this winter. Wissa had the chance to represent DR Congo at the Africa Cup of Nations, but after open conversations with both Newcastle and national team manager Sebastian Desabre, he chose to stay in England.
Having not played a match for six months, all parties felt it was better for him to focus on his recovery and prepare for club football rather than rush to a major international tournament.
It was a difficult choice, but one that underlines how determined Wissa is to succeed at Newcastle.
His commitment to the move has been clear from the beginning. Wissa wanted the transfer badly and did everything he could to make it happen. It is understood that he even waived a bonus owed to him by Brentford to help ease the financial details of the deal.
Newcastle also agreed to pay £55million, including £5million in add-ons, and Wissa made a concession on his wages to ensure the overall cost worked for the club. This level of sacrifice is rare in modern football, and it shows how invested he is in this new chapter.
Before leaving Brentford, Wissa met directly with owner Matthew Benham to clear the air. The two-hour meeting allowed him to leave the club on positive terms, despite a summer where tensions were high.
Wissa had left Brentford’s pre-season camp in Portugal while exploring his options, and the personal conversation helped ensure there were no lingering issues. His time at Brentford was an important chapter in his career.
He played 149 games, scored 49 goals, and enjoyed his best scoring season last year, finding the net 20 times in all competitions, including 19 in the Premier League.
When Newcastle’s interest became clear, Wissa did not hesitate. He loved the idea of wearing the famous number nine shirt, a number carried with pride by legends such as Alan Shearer, Andy Cole, Les Ferdinand, Kevin Keegan, and Chris Waddle.
He wanted the pressure, the responsibility, and the chance to follow in the footsteps of some of the club’s greatest forwards. Another major factor was the opportunity to play in the Champions League. It has always been a dream for him, and Newcastle’s place in the competition played a huge part in convincing him to make the move.
Now, after months of waiting, that dream may become reality. If he does not make his debut against Burnley, then the Champions League trip to Bayer Leverkusen could be the stage where he makes his first appearance in Newcastle colours.
Eddie Howe has confirmed that Wissa is close, explaining that he took part in an 11v11 training game at Everton and is scheduled for another one this week. Howe remains cautious and wants to monitor how he responds to more sessions before making a final call.
Newcastle fans have had to be patient, and so has Wissa. But the wait is nearly over. His return will offer Eddie Howe another attacking option at a crucial point in the season, and for Wissa himself, it will open the door to the challenge he worked so hard to reach.
After sacrificing bonuses, adjusting wages, turning down international duty, and pushing through months of rehabilitation, he is finally close to stepping into the spotlight he has dreamed about.
