Eddie Howe issues Yoane Wissa update that contradicts Newcastle United exit talk
Yoane Wissa has endured a difficult season following his £55million transfer to Newcastle United.
Eddie Howe offered little indication that Yoane Wissa could leave Newcastle United this summer.
Wissa joined from Brentford for £55million last summer but picked up a knee injury on international duty a week later, meaning he didn’t make his Newcastle debut until December.
The 29-year-old opened up about his injury in an interview this week and claimed he returned to playing earlier than he should have, such was his desire to hit the ground running at his new club.
However, it’s been anything but for the DR Congo forward, scoring three goals in 24 appearances. He’s been limited to just seven starts, the last of which came on February 7 against his former club Brentford.
Eddie Howe backs Yoane Wissa
That has led to reports that the Magpies are open to cutting their losses with Wissa, though Howe’s comments would suggest otherwise after insisting the best is yet to come.
Howe: “I think Yoane’s only issue, to be honest, in my opinion, was the injury that he suffered, and then the fact he hadn't trained before then as well. I think the combination of those two things meant that when he returned, he was not physically able to deliver the quality of performances that he traditionally has in the Premier League. He was outstanding for Brentford last year.
“We've said consistently, there's no doubting the quality of the player, but can we get him in a physical condition to deliver his best performances before the end of the season? That's been the challenge for us.
“I think since we've returned to full-team training, I think we've seen a big lift in his performances because before then, trying to get him fit with very small numbers of training sessions with smaller, say, six players is tough.
“We've seen an elevation in his performance levels, I've been really pleased with him lately. As long as he continues to show that upward trajectory again, I think we'll see the very best of him in the future.”
‘The very best of him is in the future’ - Eddie Howe
“Really disappointed for him because he came with such passion and enthusiasm and he knew the importance of this season, not just for the team, but for him,” Howe added. “He was ready to deliver on the biggest stage, in the peak of his powers, and then, of course, the life of a footballer, he gets injured. And it's a long way back from that.
“You come to a new club and you want to impress for minute one. And then add to the fact that he hadn't trained for a long period of time, it's been a real battle for him to get up to where he would normally consider himself to be. And he's been frustrated, I know, with that, and he's worked incredibly hard.
“We've done lots of different things to try and increase the speed of his return to full fitness but it's only really the last couple of weeks that I think we've seen that. And he's now growing in confidence because he feels better.
“But, of course, now he's feeling a lot better within himself, it'll be great to see him deliver that consistently on the pitch. But, of course, I've always got to do what's right for the team and pick the team that I think is best at this moment in time.
“But I know the very best of him is in the future, and I'm sure the supporters will see that.”