Sean McCormick is a football writer covering Newcastle United for ChronicleLive. After starting his career covering North East sport, he has had a spell working as an editor on the Manchester Evening News. He also writes about darts and boxing. He joined us in 2016.
Eddie Howe embraces William Osula of Newcastle United
Eddie Howe embraces William Osula of Newcastle United(Image: 2025 Getty Images)
When Eddie Howe told members of the media that Newcastle United's new centre-forward Yoane Wissa would miss Saturday's win over Wolves in Friday's press conference, there were one or two wincing faces from those in the room.
And when it was confirmed on Saturday evening that the DR Congo international is set to be out for four to five weeks, there was a collective sigh around Tyneside.
Having waited all summer to sign a new striker, Newcastle signed both Wissa and club record transfer Nick Woltemade in the final weekend of the window and there was much excitement to see the two do battle to lead the line.
In Wissa's absence, Woltemade took his chance to impress on Saturday as he marked his debut with the winning goal in the 1-0 win over Wolves.
A lot of pressure will be on the 23-year-old now but Howe must manage him carefully in a block of seven games within three weeks. He won't start all of those games and his minutes will have to be monitored to ensure the German international does not join Wissa on the treatment table.
And that has handed an unexpected opportunity to William Osula. The 22-year-old featured in all three of Newcastle's Premier League games in August and while he impressed from the bench against Aston Villa and Liverpool - scoring against the Premier League champions - he looked lost as he started up front on his own against Leeds United.
A deadline day move to Eintracht Frankfurt for £30million was floated but, ultimately, didn't materialise and he returned from international duty with Denmark facing up to the prospect of another season as Newcastle's third choice striker.
Osula may have been the only man on Tyneside who would have been secretly happy when Wissa's injury was confirmed. With every setback comes opportunity and Osula needs to take his if he wants to succeed at Newcastle.
When Woltemade was replaced against Wolves after suffering from cramps, Osula was given 25 minutes from the bench to make an impression but failed to make an impact on the game.
Howe had to prompt the former Sheffield United youngster to trigger the press a couple of times from the touchline and he perhaps has a job of convincing his manager he has the tactical acumen to play up front on his own.
Certainly his performance from the start against Leeds wouldn't have convinced him otherwise and he perhaps will get another opportunity to prove his worth as a forward against Bradford City in the Carabao Cup next Wednesday.
There is no doubting Osula has talent and his physical attributes and ability on the ball means he has enormous potential. Crucially, he is also popular with the supporters.
But we have only seen that talent in fits and starts on Tyneside and there is work to do if he is to shift the narrative of him being more than just an option from the bench to cause some chaos - like he did to good effect against Villa and Liverpool.
The opportunity to do that has come sooner than perhaps he might have expected after Wissa's injury. It is an opportunity he has to grasp.