Newcastle United striker Yoane Wissa. (Photo credit: NUFCTV)placeholder image
Newcastle United striker Yoane Wissa. (Photo credit: NUFCTV) | NUFCTV
Yoane Wissa is yet to kick a ball in Newcastle United colours since arriving from Brentford.
Brentford boss Keith Andrews has no ill will towards Yoane Wissa despite his actions over the summer transfer window.
Newcastle United signed the 29-year-old on deadline day for a hefty £55million fee. Wissa arrived on the same day that Alexander Isak finally got his Liverpool move.
Both players endured criticism for downing tools throughout the summer to force their eventual exits. And in ironic fashion, neither have hit the ground running, with Wissa yet to kick a ball in black-and-white stripes.
Eddie Howe gives Yoane Wissa update
Speaking on Friday, Eddie Howe pushed Wissa’s return date back further but insisted his knee injury is showing signs of improvement. He told reporters: “He's working well. He's on the grass and he's building his fitness. The knee is feeling good and there's no problems with that.
“It's more a case of looking at his fitness, sharpness, all the things he's going to need to put together. He's in a good place to kick on and push his body. We need to give him time to get robust enough and be in a position to give his best for the team. I'm sure he'll be worth the wait."
Keith Andrews on Yoane Wissa
Inevitably, Brentford boss Andrews was asked about Wissa before Newcastle travel to West London this weekend. He said: “Wissa is a very good player, so I’m not too displeased he is not going to be available - that’s just the nature of competing against teams. He obviously hasn’t featured yet for them.
“I said around the transfer window, I was glad when it was closed. It wasn’t enjoyable for a lot of people, I would imagine. The nature of that deal, in particular, there was a lot made about certain aspects of it.
“Ultimately, they paid a really good fee for a player of a certain age – a very good player, but I think as a club we did pretty well out of that. That’s not just in hindsight, but that’s the way we work. We are a very sustainable football club. Wissa has obviously gone to Newcastle and I wish him well after Sunday.
“I don’t wish ill on him at all. I’m not glad to see the way that’s gone, I’m really not, I’m not wired like that. I’ve said previously that I had a really good relationship with Wis last season and the role I was in, the transfer window was difficult, there’s no getting away from that.
“But like every walk of life, when someone leaves a role or leaves a football club, people step up and I think we’ve seen that naturally in the squad. Other players have stepped into the football boots of players that has left and that’s just the nature of football and this football club.”
Read More
Yoane Wissa on joining Newcastle United
Following his move, Wissa told the club's official website: "I'm really happy to be here and to sign for one of the biggest clubs in the Premier League.
"I'm very excited to put on the black and white shirt. I've got dreams, I've got faith and now I will do my best to make it all happen. I can't wait to get started."
Continue Reading