Newcastle's £55m Striker Yoane Wissa Faces Prolonged Injury Absence

Yoane Wissa, Newcastle United's £55 million summer signing from Brentford, has yet to make his debut due to a posterior cruciate ligament injury sustained while on international duty with DR Congo. Despite initial hopes for a return before the November international break, manager Eddie Howe confirmed Wissa is not close to rejoining first-team training and will miss the upcoming Premier League match against West Ham. Wissa has begun light training on grass but remains focused on building his fitness and robustness before returning fully. Howe has praised Wissa's strong character and leadership qualities, noting his positive influence on teammates despite the mental challenges of injury and a delayed debut. The striker is expected to make his Newcastle debut only after the November international break, with potential appearances against Manchester City or Brentford. Newcastle has managed in his absence with contributions from other players, but Wissa's eventual return is anticipated to significantly boost the squad.