Eddie Howe (left) and Liverpool flop Alexander Isak.placeholder image
Eddie Howe (left) and Liverpool flop Alexander Isak. | Getty Images
Eddie Howe is backing Yoane Wissa to start performing for Newcastle United.
Eddie Howe has insisted that Yoane Wissa is determined to repay his £55million transfer fee.
The 29-year-old has just three goals from 19 appearances across all competitions since his deadline-day move last summer. Wissa arrived on the same day Alexander Isak was granted his British transfer record move to Liverpool.
Both players forced exits and have suffered the consequences of limited pre-season training. For Wissa, he did not even train for Newcastle before suffering a knee injury on international duty.
Eddie Howe on Yoane Wissa
Speaking to reporters this morning, Toon boss Howe explained Wissa’s poor form and backed him to come good in time. He said: “I've said many times regarding Yoane’s situation. He didn't train a lot during the summer so obviously he had a gap there in his physical preparation for this season, then picked up an injury on international duty.
“That's very, very difficult to adjust to mid-season because, as I said before, I think (I’m) repeating the quotes that I've used before regarding this, you have a six-week pre-season for a reason to get players adjusted and ready for the new season. We haven't been able to do that with him.
“But he's been doing a lot of work behind the scenes, a lot of fitness work. He's just come back from a recent injury as well and we're hoping his best moments are ahead of him. Certainly he's shown a great attitude to his training.
“He's really, really motivated and keen to do well for the club and to repay the club and the supporters for everything that they've given him. Yeah, that's the situation with him. I don't think it's an ideal introduction for him coming here. I think it's been a tough period for him.”
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‘My best yet to come’ - Yoane Wissa
In January, Wissa vowed that his “best is yet to come” in black-and-white stripes. He said: "There's more to come. I'm not 100% yet, but I'm close. I'm working hard to help the team.
"(My performance against PSV Eindhoven) is really important because I showed the manager that I can play and I'm in a good place - not the best - but it's coming.I needed time to adapt myself and my game with the players but I feel at home now."
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