Keith Downie provides update on Newcastle United striker Yoane Wissa amid rumours of ACL injury
Rumours have been swirling around Newcastle United over the past couple of days that Yoane Wissa's injury is much worse than first feared, and the striker could potentially be out for the season.
The rumour mentions that the club are waiting until after the international break to announce the update, which doesn't make a lick of sense.
If Wissa had somehow ruptured his ACL in recovery, we can't see any reason why the club would sit on that information. There's literally no benefit to it, especially when the rumour mill is as wild as it is.
Thankfully, Sky Sports reporter Keith Downie is on hand to provide an update on Wissa's injury, which has seen the 29-year-old's initial return date pushed back.
Keith Downie believes Yoane Wissa is on track to return to action in November
Taking to X to answer a concerned fan, Downie says that he's not heard anything about an ACL injury and reiterated that Wissa is focused on returning for Newcastle United and repaying the club rather than trying to force his way back to then just disappear to the Africa Cup of Nations in the winter.
"I’ve checked this again today and the hope and expectation remains that Yoane Wissa will be back in around a month’s time. No ACL injury. Difficult to tell which game he’ll be back for exactly at this stage, but there’s early hope of it being the week of Atletico Bilbao/Brentford.
"Understand that he could have been back sooner with injections in his knee but the player & club want to make sure he’s right with the proper rehab. Neither wanted to risk it for short-term gain. Also told that his priority right now is getting back playing for #NUFC rather than AFCON, as he wants to repay the faith the club showed in him this summer."
Surely Yoane Wissa won't leave for the AFCON in December
It's obviously not ideal seeing his return being pushed back a month, but we'd definitely rather he recovered fully rather than trying to play through pain with injections and potentially doing more damage.
Whether he sticks by his plan to remain with Newcastle rather than joining up with DR Congo at the AFCON is another matter.
We'd understand his want to help his country at the tournament, but given that this injury was picked up on international duty before he'd even kicked a ball for the club he spent all summer trying to force a move to, it would be pretty shocking if he did leave us in the lurch for another month or so.
