Newcastle United forward Yoane Wissa has been left out of DR Congo’s squad for the Africa Cup of Nations later this month.
The 29-year-old, who joined Newcastle from Brentford for £55million in the summer transfer window, is yet to make his debut for his new side due to a knee injury.
However, the forward is a surprise omission from his nation’s AFCON squad, as he works towards a return to fitness for Newcastle. AFCON, being held in Morocco, begins on December 21 with the competition concluding on January 18.
After joining Newcastle on deadline day, he went away to represent DR Congo during the September international break.
He played in his side’s 4-1 victory over South Sudan on September 5, a game in which he scored and provided an assist. However, in the following game, a 3-2 defeat to Senegal in which he also scored, Wissa sustained a knee injury.
Initial concerns that Wissa had damaged his anterior cruciate ligament, potentially ruling him out for the majority of the season, were immediately played down by Newcastle.
The Athletic reported on October 3 that Wissa had suffered a minor setback in his recovery from the injury.
Speaking before Newcastle host Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League on Tuesday, Newcastle head coach Eddie Howe said: “He (Wissa) had an 11 vs. 11 game this week while we were at Everton. He will have another one this week, and we will see where he is.
“There has been no change. He is working back, and he is doing well; everything is positive, but he will be back involved when we think he is able to contribute to the group and has a minimal chance of reinjury.”
What does this mean for Newcastle?
Analysis by The Athletic’s Newcastle United correspondent Chris Waugh
Newcastle fans have yet to see a single minute of Wissa in action but, fitness dependent, he will be around for their full festive fixture list, which is a massive boost.
Had Wissa been called up, he would have had to head to the AFCON, otherwise he would have been banned from playing for Newcastle during that period.
But DR Congo’s decision to leave him out of their squad means that Wissa is free and available to play once he recovers from a knee problem. The 29-year-old has been involved in a behind-closed-doors 11-vs-11 training-ground friendly in recent days, with another scheduled for this week, and could feature in a matchday squad for the first time since his £55million arrival in the summer over the next fortnight.
Nick Woltemade has been leading the line and has impressed with seven goals in 14 starts across all competitions, but Wissa was signed as the Premier League-ready forward Newcastle needed to replace Alexander Isak in the short term.
The knee injury, which he suffered while on DR Congo duty, has deprived Eddie Howe of Wissa’s services. But, with a hectic schedule to come, he will have plenty of opportunities in the coming weeks to justify Newcastle’s decision to sign him.
DR Congo’s AFCON squad in full:
Goalkeepers: Timothy Fayulu (FC Noah), Lionel Mpasi (Le Havre), Matthieu Epolo (Standard Liege)
Defenders: Aaron Wan-Bissaka (West Ham United), Gedeon Kalulu (Lorient), Arthur Masuaku (Sunderland), Joris Kayembe (Genk), Rocky Bushiri, Axel Tuanzebe (Burnley), Chancel Mbemba (Lille), Steve Kapuadi (Legia Warsaw)
Midfielders: Noah Sadiki (Sunderland), Edo Kayembe (Watford), Samuel Moutoussamy (Atromitos), Charles Pickel (Espanyol), Ngal’ayel Mukau (Lille), Mario Stroeykens (Anderlecht), Theo Bondgonda (Spartak Moscow), Michael-Ange Balikwisha (Celtic), Nathanael Mbuku (Montpellier), Brian Cipenga (Castellon)
Forwards: Simon Banza (Al Jazira), Ibrahim Mayele (Pyramids), Samuel Essende (Augsburg), Meschak Elia (Alanyaspor), Cedric Bakumbu (Real Betis).
