Eddie Howe believes that Yoane Wissa’s fitness remains a ‘challenge’ for Newcastle United ahead of facing Bayer Leverkusen.
The 29-year-old is available to make his Champions League debut on Wednesday night, having travelled with the Newcastle United squad to Germany.
It comes just days after Yoane Wissa’s Newcastle debut, with the forward coming on for the final 20 minutes of Saturday’s 2-1 win over Burnley. It was a quiet cameo from the £55million striker, but there were early signs of promise.
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What Eddie Howe said about Yoane Wissa ahead of Bayer Leverkusen vs Newcastle United
Toon fans are eager to see more from the number nine, but Eddie Howe is keen to remain cautious when it comes to Yoane Wissa’s fitness.
“He looks positive,” he said during his pre-match press conference on newcastleunited.com.
“His body language has been very good. He looked boosted by coming on the pitch and playing. It’s probably earlier than we would have wanted but he’s ready to take on minutes.
“The challenge we’ve got now is limited training time in between games to continue to develop his fitness. It’s going to be a balancing act.
“I think he showed in those 20 minutes his qualities and what he can bring. He will only get better.”
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Eddie Howe’s comments suggest Yoane Wissa is unlikely to start against Bayer Leverkusen
Understandably, Newcastle United supporters are desperate to see Wissa in action. There is a clamour to see him score goals, do the number nine shirt proud and justify his £55million price tag.
However, Howe has to look at the bigger picture. That likely means that the former Brentford forward will be limited to substitute cameos for now, as he continues to build up his fitness.
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His next cameo should come against Bayer Leverkusen, even if it does feel like an ideal moment to give Nick Woltemade a rest from the starting lineup. Instead, the giant German features in Geordie Boot Boys’ predicted Newcastle United XI against Bayer Leverkusen.
While Howe is well aware that Wissa is only going to get better, patience is very much required.