Interview
Newcastle: Yoane Wissa makes his debut, Eddie Howe reacts
96 days after signing, Yoane Wissa finally played his first minutes in a Newcastle shirt.
Coming on in the 74th minute during the Magpies’ 2-1 victory over Burnley, the Congolese striker made his long-awaited return to the Premier League after months on the sidelines. But for Eddie Howe, the Congolese forward still needs time to reach his peak form:
He still has a lot of work to do to reach the highest level he’s capable of. We hope to keep him available by managing him properly. With a packed fixture list, it’s tough to balance training and matches. It’s a delicate balance, but we hope to find the right solution.
The British coach is clearly taking a cautious approach: Wissa will be gradually integrated to protect his fitness and avoid any setbacks after his injury. For Howe, the goal is clear—prepare Wissa to become a key part of the Magpies’ attack while avoiding a rushed return.
Yoane Wissa came on for his Newcastle debut, more than three months after moving from Brentford for £55m 🔄 pic.twitter.com/rnKscn97CX
— ESPN UK (@ESPNUK) December 6, 2025
