Yoane Wissa set to return after October international break | OneFootball

Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe has confirmed that summer signing Yoane Wissa (29) will not require surgery on the knee injury sustained while on international duty with the Democratic Republic of Congo. The £55m Deadline Day arrival from Brentford is yet to make his Magpies debut but is now expected to be available shortly after the October international break.

Speaking to Sky Sports ahead of Wednesday’s Carabao Cup third-round tie against Bradford City at St James’ Park, Howe admitted the absence of his new forward had been a significant early-season setback.

“He [Wissa] is here and receiving treatment, no operation is needed,” Howe explained. “We are looking the other side of the international break, we hope he can be fit and available for that first game.” That fixture will be away at Brighton on 18 October, when Newcastle resume their Premier League campaign.

The 29-year-old forward was signed to provide attacking depth following Alexander Isak’s record transfer to Liverpool, but his enforced spell on the sidelines has left Howe reshaping his forward line, with Nick Woltemade and Anthony Gordon carrying the burden in recent weeks.

Howe conceded the timing was frustrating, both for club and player. “It was huge [to lose him],” he said. “You go into the season with a plan, and we didn’t even see Yoane. But he knows he’s got a big part to play this season.”

For now, Newcastle’s immediate focus remains on navigating their congested schedule without one of their most expensive acquisitions. But with surgery ruled out and optimism over his recovery, the Magpies hope Wissa’s return will inject much-needed firepower into an evolving side searching for consistency.

GFN | Finn Entwistle