Sandro Tonali sent for scan as Newcastle United issue teasing Yoane Wissa update
Newcastle United issue injury updates on Sandro Tonali and Yoane Wissa.
Newcastle United could have Yoane Wissa available for their Premier League clash at home to Burnley on Saturday (kick-off 3pm).
Wissa joined from Brentford for £55million on September 1 but a week later sustained a posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) injury on international duty with DR Congo.
As a result, the 29-year-old is yet to make his debut for the Magpies but after three months, the wait is almost over.
Yoane Wissa could make Newcastle United debut v Burnley
Wissa resumed first-team training last week and has since come through two 11v11 matches unscathed.
Howe said: “Getting closer, we're getting closer .We did 11 v 11 game, sort of for him on Wednesday, and that was good, that was more minutes for him, around about half an hour, he did well, so yeah, we'll sort of see how he is today.
“So far he's looked good and he's come through everything, but I always say in these situations, you still have training today, and yeah, we've got to make a decision as to whether he's ready to not just be fit, but fit to make a difference and fit to perform to his highest levels.”
Yoane Wissa left out of DR Congo’s AFCON squad - boost for Newcastle United
There were concerns among supporters that Wissa would only be available for a handful of games before linking up with DR Congo for the African Cup of Nations, which gets underway on December 21.
However, the Magpies have been handed a boost in that respect after it was announced on Monday night that the striker had been left out of DR Congo’s squad. It means Wissa will stay at Howe’s disposal, rather than miss up to seven games.
Howe said: “I think just with the way this season's gone and how he's been feeling, I think his priority at the moment was to make sure he concentrates purely on his fitness and he has no other distractions or pressures to be fit.
“We're trying to make the right decisions for him on a daily basis. We've planned his comeback from a long time out just to try and get him ready in the quickest time possible but also when he is ready and able to take the load. So we're confident we can do that.”
Newcastle United issue Sandro Tonali update
Meanwhile, Howe will give Sandro Tonali “every chance” to prove his fitness after the midfielder was forced off at half-time against Tottenham Hotspur on Tuesday.
Howe said: “He's had a scan, we don't think it's too bad, so we'll give him every chance to declare himself fit if possible.
“I think it was a knock, very similar to Joelinton's suffered, sort of a similar fate, sort of dead leg type feeling, but Sandro felt it was concerning enough for him to get scanned, we'll see how he is today, and yeah, give him every chance to be fit.”