Nick Woltemade 'really excited' as Newcastle United set for major injury boost
Nick Woltemade has commented on Yoane Wissa’s imminent Newcastle United return.
Nick Woltemade is looking forward to Yoane Wissa returning for Newcastle United.
The Magpies signed Woltemade for a club-record £69million before days later bringing Wissa from Brentford for £55m as Alexander Isak left to join Liverpool for a British record £130m.
With Wissa proven at Premier League level, the initial plan was for him to carry the goalscoring burden whilst giving Woltemade time to settle in England following his meteoric rise in Germany. But that hasn’t been able to happen.
Just over a week after completing his transfer to St James’ Park, Wissa sustained a knee injury on international duty with DR Congo. Eleven weeks on, and the 29-year-old is still sidelined.
Nick Woltemade ‘really excited’ for Yoane Wissa’s return
Although it remains unclear when Wissa will return, it’s understood he is close. When fit, Wissa will provide competition for Woltemade, something the German sees a positive rather than a negative.
The 23-year-old admits Wissa’s comeback will be good for rotation amid the busy fixture schedule, though he also believes the pair have the ability to strike up a strong attacking partnership.
Woltemade told ESPN: “To be honest, I was expecting it! No, not that I play every game, but maybe also sometimes with Wissa or Osula, sometimes I thought we could change because I play now a lot of games.
“And this is also the first time for me that I play in this rhythm, like every three days now I play every game. And of course, I wanted to play when I come there, so I'm really happy that I play every game and I still want to play every game.
“But I'm also really happy that Wissa is coming back and I think we can also play really good together maybe. And I think then, like the situation for sometimes you don't feel so good in the game, then maybe some other striker can come in and help each other together.
“So we get more power and I think I'm really excited for the guys to come back.”
Can Nick Woltemade and Yoane Wissa play together?
Wissa’s injury and Will Osula’s ongoing ankle issue have seen Woltemade start 12 of his 14 matches for Newcastle, enjoying an impressive return of six goals. That is despite Eddie Howe’s side, on the whole, struggling to create chances for their 6ft 6in German.
United currently sit 14th in the Premier League table, just two points above the relegation zone. Howe is searching for a new formula that works, though previously played down the prospect of fielding two strikers.
Howe said in September: “I think I've answered this question many times on Callum [Wilson] and Alex [Isak], historically yes but depending on the team's needs and whether tactically that's the right thing but I'd never rule out the possibility of playing two centre-forwards together at the same time.
“Certainly they've got the characteristics to play together, it's not like they're the same style of player but obviously we have a way of playing and I wouldn't necessarily at the moment want to deviate too far from that. “