The £55million star is yet to kick a ball for the Magpies and his comeback remains off the table
Yoane Wissa on Will Osula's Instagram
Yoane Wissa on Will Osula's Instagram
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Yoane Wissa won't be on the plane that jets to London this weekend despite West Ham once being described as a possible return date for the DR Congo international.
The former Brentford star has not featured for Newcastle after injuring his knee on international duty against Senegal in September. And after being tipped to return against Brighton this month, he has now failed to make a second proposed comeback date against West Ham.
Wissa was in the team picture after the win over Tottenham Hotspur in the Carabao Cup and has featured prominently on Will Osula's Snapchat feed. But Howe could not pin down a date for Wissa despite having Athletic Bilbao and Brentford as possible return fixtures put to him.
Howe, when pressed about the knee injury victim, said: "It will definitely not be West Ham. He is working very hard, and he is on the grass and getting the fitness work in he needs.
"I’d say he’s not close to training with the group due to fitness. I’m not trying to be evasive, but I don’t know when the moment will be when he’s back with the squad."
But Howe said the player's spirits remain high and reflected: "He has a very strong character, and that comes across.
"He's good with the players, he's very positive. He's a leader. You can see that already.
"He's trying to inspire and help the players, which is sometimes very difficult when you come to a new club and you're injured straight away. That's a real tough mental challenge for him to take on, especially with his transfer fee.
"There'll be a lot of emotions going through him, but all he can focus on is trying to get fit and trying to make a difference on the pitch. I think we can really help him when we get him fit."
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