Official Yoane Wissa decision after three-month Newcastle United injury
Yoane Wissa’s Newcastle United career has been disrupted by the knee injury he picked up on international duty with DR Congo.
Newcastle United striker Yoane Wissa has been called up by DR Congo for the first time since sustaining his serious knee injury.
Despite playing zero minutes in pre-season, Wissa linked up with his national team just days after completing his £55million move from Brentford on September 1.
And it was there, during a World Cup qualifier match against Senegal, that the 29-year-old suffered a posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) injury.
As a result, Wissa had to wait three months before making his Newcastle debut. Returning just weeks before the African Cup of Nations started, all parties - Newcastle, DR Congo and the player - decided it was best he remained on Tyneside.
But in truth, Wissa, who scored 19 Premier League goals last season, has struggled to make any kind of real impact with just three goals in 21 appearances.
It was telling that both he and £64million club-record signing Nick Woltemade were left on the bench for Tuesday’s Champions League last-16 first-leg draw at home to Barcelona.
‘It’s been tough’ - Eddie Howe on Yoane Wissa’s start to life at Newcastle United
Asked about Wissa recently, Howe said: “He didn't train a lot in the summer so obviously had a gap there in his physical preparation for the season and then picked up an injury on international duty.
“That's very, very difficult to adjust to mid-season. You have a six week pre-season for a reason to get players adjusted and ready for a new season."We haven't been able to do that with him, but he has been doing a lot of work behind the scenes on his fitness.
“He has just come back from another injury and we are hoping his best moments are ahead of him.
“Certainly, he has shown a great attitude to his training and he is really motivated and keen to do well for the club and repay the club and the supporters for everything they have given him.
“That's the situation, it hasn't been an ideal introduction for him coming here. It's been a tough period for him.”
Yoane Wissa called up by DR Congo
Wissa will be hoping to rediscover some goalscoring form when he links up with DR Congo for their vital 2026 FIFA World Cup inter-confederation play-off final.
New Caledonia and Jamaica play each other on March 27, with the winner facing DR Congo at Estadio Akron in Zapopan, near Guadalajara in Mexico, on Tuesday, March 31 for a spot at this summer’s World Cup.
DR Congo haven’t played at World Cup finals since 1974, when they competed as Zaire.