NEWCASTLE has been rocked by the news that Yoanne Wissa is out for a further two weeks.
The striker arrived on deadline day in a £55m deal from Brentford but still hasn’t trained with the Magpies after suffering a knee injury playing for DR Congo last month.
Wissa, 29, was expected to return on October 18 against Brighton but now boss Eddie Howe has revealed the star will have to wait a little longer for his debut.
He said: “Yoane saw a specialist again yesterday for a check-up on his knee. We probably think now it’ll be eight weeks rather than six.
“No recurrence or problem, just slightly longer.”
The added fortnight means that the trip to West Ham on November 2 is the new target for Wissa.
However, Toon only have the Champions League clash with Athletic Bilbao and an away trip to the forward’s old club Brentford before the November international break.
DR Congo have no scheduled games currently for that break, but the following month they will be desperate to have their talisman involved for the Africa Cup of Nations.
And despite his desire to go, Toon will be keen to ensure he’s back firing on all cylinders before he heads off for the tournament in Morocco.
Meanwhile, it also leaves fellow £69m new boy Nick Woltemade to carry the goalscoring load.
And if the giant German can continue his hot streak of three goals from four starts, then Wissa is going to have to wait even longer to try and make his mark.
Howe added: “Yoane is not really in that train of thought at the minute. He’s still trying to get fit and feel good within his body.
“When he’s fit then he’ll be thinking, like all players do, that he wants to get his position and earn his shirt.
“From Nick’s side, he’s got competition from Will Osula, who did really well on his sub appearance the other day and set the goal up for Harvey Barnes.
“There is good competition but Yoane is one that will add a different dynamic.”
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