Exciting Yoane Wissa footage emerges as Newcastle United get double injury boost v Burnley
Newcastle United handed major Yoane Wissa and Sandro Tonali boosts.
Newcastle United have received a double injury boost ahead of this afternoon’s Premier League clash at home to Burnley (kick-off 3pm).
Three months after joining from Brentford for £55million and Yoane Wissa is finally in contention to make his Newcastle debut, while Sandro Tonali has overcome a leg injury.
Both players have been spotted arriving at St James’ Park by NewcastleWorld, hinting at their involvement.
Yoane Wissa set for place on the bench v Burnley
Wissa has been sidelined with the posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) injury he sustained on international duty with DR Congo but is set to feature on the bench against the Clarets.
The 29-year-old resumed first-team training last week and followed that up by coming through two 11v11 matches unscathed.
“Getting closer, we're getting closer,” said Howe. “We did an 11 v 11 game, sort of for him really 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.
“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.”
Howe previously warned that although Wissa will be available for matches, he would need a ‘six-week’ pre-season to get up to speed.
“Yeah, he's looked good,” Howe added. “I think we've seen all the qualities that we saw at Brentford. His movement is very good. He's quick, he's sharp, he's got that low centre of gravity and I think already you can see he'll build good relationships with the players around him. So yeah, I've been really happy with what he's done.
“As I say, is he at 100% best physical condition? Probably not but I think that will take some time. I think it's similar with other players that come back from injuries, seeing Lewis Hall going down with cramp towards the end of games.
“Ideally with Lew, we'd probably have had longer to build him up but we don't have that luxury in so many games that we need the squad fit and ready and hopefully Yoane will have a big part to play.”
Yoane Wissa return a ‘big boost’ for Newcastle United - Eddie Howe
Wissa scored 19 Premier League goals for Brentford last season, with only Mohammed Salah, Erling Haaland and Alexander Isak, who United sold to Liverpool for a British record £130, scoring more.
“I think it'll be a big boost for us,” Howe added. “I think a big boost for the squad to have someone of his experience, calibre, quality back in the group.
“I think we've just got to be mindful of the length of time that he's been out and the lack of training he's had because normally we'd want to give him more before we put him back onto the pitch. But I think in our situation at the moment, I'm not sure we've got that grace to do that.
“I think he's a quality player. We've seen that in training already. We've seen the difference he can make. His movement is excellent, he's a very good finisher and he is vastly experienced, so I think the transition time to a new team should be less.
“But it's really his fitness and match sharpness and match readiness are the concern that we have and making sure that we enter him at the right time.”
Tonali, meanwhile, has been passed fit after picking up a leg injury in Tuesday’s 2-2 draw versus Tottenham Hotspur. The Italian was forced off at half-time and later sent for a scan, which came back clear.
Speaking pre-match, 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.”