Yoane Wissa’s AFCON chances revealed after Newcastle injury update
Yoane Wissa’s prospects of playing at the upcoming African Cup of Nations for DR Congo have been updated as he continues to recover from a serious knee injury at Newcastle.
Newcastle chased Yoane Wissa‘s services all summer as they aimed to fill the gap left by Alexander Isak amid his revolt and refusal to feature for the club until being sold.
His eventual departure saw Newcastle sign Yoane Wissa from Brentford on deadline day as his own long saga eventually ended with a big-money move to the Tyneside club.
Wissa suffered a serious knee injury for DR Congo against Senegal on 9 September, before he had even made his Magpies bow, and he was ruled out by Eddie Howe for around six weeks as a result.
He is still yet to feature as Newcastle carefully manage him so he is in top shape when the time comes to make his debut, and the plan has seemingly been for him to go to the African Cup of Nations in December with DR Congo after a full recovery has been made.
Wissa may not go to AFCON amid Newcastle recovery update
Newcastle legend Alan Shearer has urged Wissa to stay at Newcastle instead of going to AFCON in two months’ time, and he may well get his wish if a compromise can be reached.
The Daily Mail‘s Craig Hope (16 October) has revealed that Wissa could be set to stay with Newcastle, as he is determined to make a big impact for the club after the patience and faith they showed him during the summer window.
His long-term fitness for club and country is the priority for all parties, especially with DR Congo potentially set to take part in their first World Cup since 1974, and so discussions over Wissa’s AFCON involvement are set to take place soon.
It is believed that he could have played for the Magpies by now if he had taken injections in his knee, but both him and the club decided against that option to preserve his long-term health, so it seems likely that he stays in England across the Christmas period to continue that notion.
The games Wissa is still set to miss as Brentford return targeted
Wissa is still waiting to make his Newcastle debut, and the club will want him on the pitch as quickly as possible so they can see returns on their £55million investment, yet will also know they cannot rush him in fear of another setback.
As well as an update on his AFCON chances, Hope has also reported that Wissa does not require an operation on his posterior cruciate ligament injury and so is still on track for a return to action in November.
Despite previous claims that he was set to be involved against West Ham on 2 November, the report also states that he is more likely to make his long-awaited debut against none other than his former club Brentford on 9 November.
That convenient potential return date is set to continue to rule him out of league games against Brighton, Fulham and the Hammers, as well as a cup clash against Tottenham and two Champions League ties against Benfica and Athletic Club.