Wissa is yet to feature for Newcastle United since joining the club from Brentford in the summer
Yoane Wissa of Newcastle United
Yoane Wissa of Newcastle United (Image: 2025 Newcastle United)
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Newcastle United look set to be without Yoane Wissa for this weekend's upcoming trip to Brentford in the Premier League.
The 29-year-old forward is yet to make an appearance for the Magpies since his £55million move from the Bees in the summer after picking up a knee injury during a September World Cup qualifier while on international duty with DR Congo.
It had been hoped that he would be fit to return against his former side on Sunday but he looks set to miss out on the trip to West London after it was confirmed he was not included in DR Congo's squad for their crucial World Cup play-off against Cameroon.
The DR Congo football federation released a statement on X confirming their 25-man list and Wissa was not included among the group.
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Eddie Howe had initially suggested he would return before the November international break but when he spoke to the media last Friday, prior to Newcastle's trip to West Ham United, he exercised caution when putting a return date on his comeback from injury.
"It's definitely not West Ham," Howe told reporters.
"He's working very hard, he's on the grass, he's getting the fitness work in that he needs. I'd say he's not close to training with the group at the moment, not through injury but through fitness and making sure we build his robustness.
"I'm not trying to be evasive. I don't know when the moment will be when he's back with the squad."
Howe has also warned Newcastle will have to be patient when stepping up Wissa's return to action.
He added: "I think if you look at Yoane's situation, he will need almost a pre-season and pre-season schedules that we give to players will be six weeks.
"We do that for a reason, so we can build them up and they can play in various games and then they're ready to perform.
"So I'm not saying he won't play for six weeks. But I think to get to his very best level, it will probably take that time. But firstly, before we get to that stage, we need to get him fully 100% fit and then we can really push him."
Howe will face the media this morning ahead of the trip to Brentford and is expected to give an update on Wissa's situation then.