Eddie Howe now gives further update on Yoane Wissa as £55m signing still waits to make debut
Yoane Wissa was pencilled in to finally make his Newcastle United debut following his summer switch from Brentford at the start of November.
The DR Congo international picked up a knee injury when representing his country just days after signing off on his £55 million move, which he'd fought for all summer.
That injury has kept the 29-year-old out of action ever since, and while he was at one point thought to be ready to return to action at the start of this month, that date was pushed back to 'after the international break'.
Yesterday we reported that his return is now not expected until the start of December.
Eddie Howe can't give a return date for Yoane Wissa
Following on from that report, Eddie Howe was asked on Friday morning during his media briefing if he had any further update on Wissa's return, but the Newcastle gaffer couldn't put a date on it.
"No, I haven't got a clear, defined return date for you. He's working well, so he's not back training with us yet, but he's close.
"He's now back with the sports science team, and he's also almost entering a pre-season with them currently.
"He's doing a lot of work. He's looking good, looking better with every session. And as I say, he's close to training with us.But until he gets to there, it's very difficult to give you a date."
Newcastle are doing everything right with Yoane Wissa so far
As frustrating as it is having such a big signing unavailable for so long, we do like that the club are being super careful and not rushing him back onto the pitch.
We already had reservations about signing a 29-year-old for £55 million, and the last thing we want to do now is force him back from injury too soon and ruin his knee meaning we get even fewer years out of him.
As much as we could certainly do with another option up front for when it's just not working with Nick Woltemade, we'd rather do things the right way and make sure that Wissa remains available for the rest of the campaign.
