Newcastle United striker ruled out v Leeds amid Yoane Wissa U-turn & Nick Woltemade boost
Yoane Wissa has started three of Newcastle United’s last five matches after returning from an extended injury absence.
Newcastle United host Leeds United at St James’ Park on Wednesday night (8:15pm kick-off) with Eddie Howe facing some key selection decisions.
With Anthony Elanga out and Jacob Murphy struggling with his hamstring, The Magpies boss has hinted Harvey Barnes could come into the side on the right wing due to Anthony Gordon’s preference to stay on the left.
Barnes came off the bench for Gordon and played a part in Bruno Guimaraes’ opener in the 2-0 win over Crystal Palace on Sunday. Gordon also had a goal ruled out for offside in the match as Newcastle head into the Leeds game looking to make it 12 unbeaten at home and secure a third straight Premier League win for the first time this season.
Up front, Howe has had a welcome selection dilemma since Yoane Wissa’s return from a three-month injury absence. Wissa has started three of Newcastle’s last five matches, scoring twice while Nick Woltemade scored twice on his last start at St James’ Park in a 2-2 draw against Chelsea.
Will Yoane Wissa keep his place v Leeds United?
Following the 1-0 defeat at Manchester United on Boxing Day, Howe suggested that Wissa wasn’t ready to start regularly due to Newcastle’s busy fixture schedule.
“With Yoane, I think we've got to look after him,” Howe told The Gazette. “He's still relatively early in his return to full fitness.
“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.”
The Gazette has launched a new WhatsApp NUFC channel to bring the latest news, analysis and team & injury updates directly to your phone. Simply click this link to join our NUFC WhatsApp channel.
Yet in somewhat of a U-turn to that claim, Wissa immediately started successive matches for Newcastle against Burnley and Palace in the space of five days. And when asked if there was a possibility of the 29-year-old starting three games in the space of eight days by keeping his place in the line-up against Leeds, Howe remained typically tight-lipped regarding his team selection but wouldn’t rule it out.
“Yeah, with Yoane, we'll make an individual decision on him,” Howe said. “We'll look at a lot of the data that we have and I'll be in discussions with the sports science team and medical team to make the right call.”
Wissa’s return has seen Woltemade play a slightly less prominent role in the side over the past few weeks, having previously been tasked with leading the line three times a week during hectic runs of fixtures.
“Nick's been really good,” Howe added. “I think he appreciates that he's had a lot of games and this is a chance for him to just draw breath, reflect and then go again. I'm really happy with both players.”
Meanwhile, the striker who started for Newcastle in the 0-0 draw against Leeds at Elland Road back in August is sidelined due to injury.
William Osula injury latest
Newcastle have been without William Osula for the last two months due to an ankle issue.
The 22-year-old will miss Newcastle’s upcoming matches against Leeds, AFC Bournemouth and Manchester City at the very least, with Howe hoping to see the striker back in action before the end of the month.
“He's injured at the moment,” Howe confirmed. “I think the main priority for Will is just to focus on getting fit.
“I don't think he's close, but I think he's improving. So hopefully we'll see him towards the end of the month. Big for us to get him back fit.
“Big for him because I know he's been hugely frustrated by this injury when he had a lot of opportunities to play. Prior to his injury, I thought he was in a really good place and doing well.”
Osula has also been subject to transfer interest from Eintracht Frankfurt and Aston Villa after potential summer moves failed to come to fruition. Newcastle will allow the forward to leave should a suitable offer come in that gives them the option of bringing the player back.