'Mental challenge' - Yoane Wissa set to miss another three weeks after Newcastle United update
Yoane Wissa is yet to make an appearance for Newcastle United following his £55m move from Brentford.
Eddie Howe admits he doesn’t know when Yoane Wissa will make his Newcastle United debut.
The Magpies paid £55million to sign Wissa from Brentford on September 1 but just over a week after the transfer was completed, the striker sustained a posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) injury on international duty with DR Congo.
Initially, it was hoped that Wissa could return immediately after the October international break but his absence was later extended by another two weeks following a check-up with the specialist.
The timeframe provided suggested the 29-year-old would be back in contention for Sunday’s visit to West Ham United, however Howe has confirmed that isn’t the case.
United face Athletic Bilbao in the Champions League on Wednesday before visiting Wissa’s former club Brentford next Sunday. However, the chances of Wissa being involved appear slim following Howe’s latest comments.
NUFC boss Eddie Howe ‘doesn’t know’ when Yoane Wissa will make debut
Asked about his comeback, Howe replied: “Well, it's definitely not West Ham. He's working very hard, he's on the grass, and he's getting the fitness work in now that he needs.
“I'd say he's not close to training with the group at the moment. Not through injury, but through fitness and making sure now we build his robustness. I'm not trying to be evasive. I don't know when the moment will be when he's back with the squad.”
It is increasingly likely that Wissa won’t be involved before the November international break, which commences after the trip to Brentford.
During the break, DR Congo face Cameroon in a World Cup play-off match, where the winner will advance to take on either Nigeria or Gabon a few days later.
But Wissa is unlikely to link up with his nation, with the focus, if not back already, on being fit for Newcastle’s Premier League meeting at home to Manchester City on Saturday, November 22.
Yoane Wissa’s attitude praised by Eddie Howe
Wissa has been pictured in and around the squad in the last week or so - often Will Osula’s official Snapchat account- and has looked in good spirits.
The former Lorient forward was also snapped in the dressing room photo following the 2-0 win over Tottenham Hotspur in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday.
Despite not being able to take to the pitch, Howe has been pleased with Wissa’s impact behind the scenes.
Howe said: “I'd say he's got a very strong character and I think that comes across. He's good with the players, he's very positive, he's a good talker, he's a leader, I think you can see that already.
“He's trying to inspire and help the players, which is sometimes very difficult when you come to a new club and you're injured straight away. That's a real tough mental challenge for him to take on, especially with his transfer fees.
“There'll be a lot of emotions going through him, but all he can focus on is trying to get fit and then trying to make a difference on the pitch. I think he can really help us when we get him fit.”