Reports have confirmed that Newcastle United attacker Yoane Wissa will miss at least a month of action after suffering a knee injury on international duty.
After his dramatic deadline day deal, fans were excited to get their first glimpse of the DR Congo star, who joined the Magpies for a fee of around £55m.
Yoane Wissa is one of Newcastle United’s most expensive signings in their history, but fans will have to wait a few weeks to see their new number nine in action.
It was confirmed on Saturday evening that Wissa is out for at least four weeks after falling foul to a bizarre knee injury during a game against Senegal earlier this week. The 29-year-old appeared to get his studs caught up in the grass and was subsequently taken off.
Thankfully, Nick Woltemade was Newcastle’s hero against Wolves on Saturday, but while Wissa is away, the club will be very pleased with a late transfer decision they made.
William Osula arrives at St James' Park ahead of a Premier League game between Newcastle United and Wolves.
Photo by Harriet Massey/Newcastle United via Getty Images
Newcastle United made the right decision to keep William Osula after deadline day interest
It has been a strange few months for William Osula, who was given the opportunity to impress during pre-season while Alexander Isak’s transfer saga waged on. Unfortunately, the 22-year-old struggled in most of his appearances since the beginning of pre-season.
Osula’s shining moment was his goal against Liverpool, but he could do very little when finally given his first Premier League start against Leeds United.
On deadline day, it was reported that Osula was nearing a move to Eintracht Frankfurt, with the Bundesliga side still hoping to find a replacement for Hugo Ekitike, who snubbed a move to the Magpies for Liverpool.
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However, the move broke down as the two clubs could not agree on a package for the player. Newcastle wanted a permanent move for Osula, while Frankfurt wanted to sign him on loan with an option to make the deal permanent.
Newcastle have seemingly made the correct decision to keep Osula on Tyneside until January at least. The Dane will act as cover when Wissa comes back, but he is currently the second choice while the new signing is out injured.
When William Osula could next start for Newcastle United
Woltemade is likely to be favoured at striker while Wissa is away, with Osula coming on as an impact sub in the second half.
It raises the question of when Eddie Howe could actually give Osula his next start?
If all goes to plan, Osula will likely be in the starting XI when Newcastle welcome Bradford City to St James’ Park in the Carabao Cup later this month.
The Bantams are in League One, so it should be a nice game for Osula to get himself involved in and hopefully find the back of the net to give him a bit more confidence.
Additionally, Osula could have some sort of involvement when Newcastle welcome Barcelona to St James’ Park on Thursday, but Howe will likely want to play his strongest XI for that game.