Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe has delivered a significant boost to fans, confirming that record signing Yoane Wissa is on the verge of making his long-awaited debut for the club.
Wissa's Road to Recovery
The striker, who joined from Brentford for £55 million in the summer, has been sidelined for three months with a knee injury. However, Howe revealed that the 28-year-old has now returned to full training and is "getting closer" to his first appearance in black and white.
Wissa took a major step forward this week by participating in an 11-a-side match for approximately 30 minutes. His availability for Saturday's Premier League fixture against Burnley will be determined following a final assessment in Friday's training session.
Positive News on Multiple Fronts
Howe also shared encouraging news regarding midfielder Sandro Tonali. The knock he sustained in the match against Tottenham is not considered serious, and he is expected to be available for selection soon.
Furthermore, it has been confirmed that Wissa will not be participating in the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations, having been omitted from the DR Congo squad. This means Newcastle will retain his services throughout the busy winter period.
Context and Challenges for the Magpies
The potential return of Wissa comes at a crucial time for Newcastle. Despite maintaining an unbeaten home record in the Premier League since August, the team has struggled to hold onto leads. A concerning statistic shows they have dropped 11 points from winning positions this season, a joint high in the division.
Adding a player of Wissa's calibre and goal threat could be pivotal in turning those narrow margins into valuable wins as Howe's side looks to climb the table.
