Newcastle United are still without Yoane Wissa, but Eddie Howe has seen encouraging signs from William Osula.
They say football is a ‘funny old game’, and that is on display in Newcastle United’s attack.
Newcastle signed Yoane Wissa to make an instant Premier League impact while Nick Woltemade adjusted to life in England.
Instead, Woltemade has been a sensation early in his Newcastle career, and Wissa hasn’t even made his debut yet.
Wissa is still out injured, and his participation in the Africa Cup of Nations this winter is still unclear.
William Osula celebrates scoring his second goal for Newcastle United againt Bradford City in the Carabao Cup.
Photo by Zach Forster/MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images
William Osula easing Eddie Howe’s fears over Yoane Wissa
Wissa wants to make himself fit for Newcastle, but there is a strong chance that he heads off to the Africa Cup of Nations with DR Congo in December.
That would see Wissa miss even more of Newcastle’s Premier League campaign, which is hardly ideal after such a slow start.
Eddie Howe would be forgiven for feeling concerned by the idea of seeing Wissa head to Africa and leave the pressure on Woltemade.
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Well, Newcastle do have another forward, as William Osula has caught Howe’s eye.
Osula made a big impact off the bench against Fulham and forced a save from Bernd Leno, which resulted in Bruno Guimaraes scoring the winning goal.
Howe praised Osula after the final whistle, suggesting that he is seeing a big improvement from the Dane.
The former Sheffield United man scored twice against Bradford City in September and found the net against Liverpool earlier in the season.
Wissa’s versatility to play up front or out wide will be welcomed, and Osula is showing that he can impact games in similar areas.
Osula still has a long way to go, but he is earning Howe’s trust with his displays from the bench.
If Wissa does head off with DR Congo in December, Howe may just have a little more confidence in Osula to step up than he would have done a few weeks ago.
Newcastle United will surely stand firm on William Osula now
Wissa’s delays have become a source of frustration, just as much as Woltemade’s instant impact has been enthralling to watch.
Osula has seized his chance to impress, though, and his progress may just leave Newcastle to snub all January offers.
Eintracht Frankfurt are keen to sign Osula in January and have made contact over a potential deal.
Eintracht missed out on a £30million deal for Osula on transfer deadline day and have not backed away.
Newcastle may have allowed Osula to go as Wissa arrived, but his injury problems, coupled with Osula’s development, mean a January exit is looking less and less likely.