Newcastle United issue official Yoane Wissa update as striker ruled out of nine matches
Newcastle United boss Eddie Howe has provided an injury update on £55million new signing Yoane Wissa.
Newcastle United remain hopeful that Yoane Wissa will be back for the visit to Brighton & Hove Albion on Saturday, October 18.
Wissa joined the Magpies on deadline day from Brentford for £55million but is yet to make his debut after picking up a knee injury on international duty with the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The 29-year-old has already missed matches against Wolverhampton Wanderers, Barcelona and AFC Bournemouth, and will also sit out of the next four games against Bradford City, Arsenal, Royale Union Saint-Gilloise and Nottingham Forest.
Newcastle United boss Eddie Howe issues Yoane Wissa update
Newcastle boss Eddie Howe has confirmed Wissa’s injury did not require an operation and he is receiving treatment at the club’s training ground with a view to returning immediately after the October international break.
“He's here, and he's receiving treatment, no operation needed,” said Howe. “Yeah, I think we're looking at the other side of the international break. We hope he can be fit and available for that first game.”
DR Congo face World Cup qualifiers against Togo and Sudan, but Wissa won’t be linking up with his country.
Speaking last week, Howe said: “Like with any footballer, when they go away and they're on international duty, you’re not in control of the minutes they play and unfortunately, he gets injured. Now we just have to deal the best we can with that situation.
“We think he'll be out until the next international break, that is sort of a race on to be fit for that Brighton game, and hopefully he can make it.”
Asked if he was frustrated at Congo’s management of Wissa, Howe replied: “Again, it’s one I'm not in control of, so I try not to give it too much emotion.
“Of course, we're just devastated that he's injured, but nothing in our control. We've just got to try and get him fit as quickly as possible in the safest way, and then he's got a big part to play in our season.”
Eddie Howe discusses impact of Yoane Wissa’s injury
Wissa’s injury has seen £69million club-record signing Nick Woltemade start both Premier League matches. While Howe has been pleased with Woltemade’s start to life on Tyneside - he scored on his debut versus Wolves - Wissa’s absence is a “huge” blow.
Howe said: “Yeah, it was huge. I mean, you go into the new season with your squad and you feel you've got your squad sort of settled and you've got a plan, and then, of course, we didn't even see Yoane. He's come back injured. And that was a difficult one, having outlaid the money that we have.
“And we knew that Yoane was Premier League ready, as it were. You know, he knows the league inside and out and has scored goals in it. But I think, look, it happened. We have to deal with it. I think, touch wood, it's not a long-term injury. We get through the next few games and then he'll be back.”