Eddie Howe has provided a further update on Yoane Wissa’s fitness and put the onus on the player to deliver for Newcastle United.
The forward joined from Brentford for £55million on transfer deadline day at the start of the season before picking up a knee injury that ruled him out and delayed his Newcastle debut for three months.
Wissa suffered a PCL injury while on international duty with DR Congo in September. Despite returning to fitness in time for the African Cup of Nations in December, a decision was made for Wissa to not be included in the squad so he could focus on making an impact at Newcastle.
After scoring on his full debuts in the Carabao Cup, Premier League and Champions League for Newcastle, Wissa has struggled to make an impact since and has found himself fall behind Anthony Gordon, Nick Woltemade and William Osula in the striker pecking order.
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Eddie Howe challenges Yoane Wissa – ‘he’s got to perform’
For a player signed with the view of being the side’s first-choice striker after Alexander Isak’s departure to Liverpool, it’s been a tough period.
But rather than point to his previous injury struggles, Howe stressed that Wissa is fit and simply has to perform when given the chance.
“Yoane is fit, fitter probably than at any stage in his time with us,” Howe claimed. “He’s done a lot of work behind the scenes.
“He’s making up for lost time in that respect and training with the group whenever we train.
“No injury concerns at all. The challenge for Yoane is when introduced and on the pitch, he’s got to perform.
“And that’ll be the same for every player. in the squad, and then I have to pick who I think is best for the job.”
Yoane Wissa set to join up with DR Congo squad
Wissa will be hoping to make an impact over three crucial fixtures coming up for Newcastle against Chelsea, Barcelona and Sunderland before he joins up with the DR Congo squad for a vital World Cup play-off match.
It will be Wissa’s first time back with his national team since suffering his knee injury back in September.
DR Congo will face either New Caledonia or Jamaica in Mexico on March 31. The winners of the match will be granted a place at the 2026 World Cup in North America this summer.