‘The problem’ - Eddie Howe makes Yoane Wissa fitness admission ahead of Newcastle United v Burnley
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Newcastle United injury news: Eddie Howe has delivered an update on Yoane Wissa’s fitness ahead of their clash with Burnley.
Eddie Howe has revealed that Yoane Wissa is not yet ready to start two matches in a row as he continues his recovery from a knee injury.
The former Brentford man only made his first appearance in a Newcastle United shirt earlier this month and has made just one start, against Fulham in the Carabao Cup, since returning to action. Wissa was a second-half substitute at Old Trafford as they tried, in vain, to grab themselves an equaliser.
Nick Woltemade, who scored twice against Chelsea prior to their visit to Manchester United, struggled again for service at Old Trafford but looks likely to lead the line in black and white for some time. Asked by the Gazette if Wissa needs a run of starts to get fully up to speed, Howe responded: “Yeah, I think with Yoane, I think we've got to look after him. He's still relatively early in his return to full fitness.
“He did really well in his one start that he did against Fulham. Really pleased with him on that day.
“And there'll be other opportunities. The problem for us is with our schedule playing every three, four days, I don't think he's in a condition where he could start regularly at the moment.
“But hopefully we can manage him to that point at some stage.”
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Newcastle United make the trip to Turf Moor on Tuesday night searching for just their second away win of the campaign. Defeat at Old Trafford meant that they have taken just six points from a possible 27 on offer away from home in the Premier League this season with five of the so-called ‘big six’ still to play away from St James’ Park in the second-half of the campaign.
Newcastle United injury news
Joelinton made a timely return to action at Old Trafford on Friday night having been an unused substitute during their previous three games. The Brazilian entered the pitch alongside Wissa and Harvey Barnes and enjoyed a solid return to the team.
However, Howe has admitted that he is not expecting to have any other sidelined player back in contention for their trip to Lancashire. Anthony Elanga missed out entirely on Boxing Day after picking up an injury against Chelsea, with 16-year-old Sam Alabi replacing him on a Premier League bench for the first time ever.
Elsewhere, Emil Krafth and Sven Botman are closing in on a return to action, but Howe admitted that neither would be available against Burnley and instead revealed that a return in the new year is most likely for them. Kieran Trippier is also expected to be back when 2026 comes around.
Nick Pope, meanwhile, was named on the bench on Friday night after declaring himself fit to play. He is not yet at full fitness according to his head coach, though, and also may not feature against his former employers on Tuesday night.
Tino Livramento also remains sidelined and there has been no official update on his recovery following Howe’s revelation in midweek that he was hopeful of ‘good news’ on the defender.