NUFC best player set to be sidelined for as many as seven Newcastle fixtures, under one condition

Yoane Wissa Injury Update: £55m Newcastle Star Nears Debut After Lengthy Layoff

Newcastle United’s £55million summer signing Yoane Wissa is edging closer to making his long-awaited debut for the club after being sidelined by injury since joining from Brentford on deadline day.

The 29-year-old forward sustained a knee injury while on international duty with DR Congo in September and has yet to feature for Eddie Howe’s side. Initially, the plan was for Wissa to return after the October international break, with the trip to Brighton & Hove Albion on October 18 marked as a potential comeback date.

Fortunately for Newcastle, Wissa did not require surgery, which spared him a lengthy nine-month layoff and aligned with Howe’s suggested eight-week recovery window.

However, the player’s recovery has not been completely straightforward. Persistent swelling around his knee has prevented him from resuming full training, and given that he has not played competitively since May, he will need time to regain full match sharpness.

Based on current estimates, a return around the November 2 clash with West Ham United remains possible, though the following week’s trip to Brentford, his former club, is viewed as a more realistic target for his comeback.

Wissa’s absence has been somewhat softened by the brilliant early form of Nick Woltemade, the £65million summer arrival who has already netted four goals in five starts.

Still, Newcastle face potential complications once Wissa is back, due to his international commitments with DR Congo.

Following the Magpies’ fixture against Brentford, DR Congo are set to face Cameroon in a crucial World Cup play-off. A victory there would see them take on either Gabon or Nigeria for a spot at next summer’s tournament.

To add to the scheduling headache, DR Congo are also preparing for the Africa Cup of Nations, which runs from December 21 to January 18 in Morocco. Should they replicate their deep run from two years ago — when they finished fourth — Wissa could miss up to seven more games for Newcastle, including key Premier League fixtures against Chelsea, Manchester United, and Burnley over the festive period.