Move follows concerns expressed by Newcastle supporters that the striker needs to show some responsibility towards his new club
Newcastle forward Yoane Wissa will not participate in the Africa Cup of Nations after the forward was left out of his country’s tournament squad while he recovers from a knee injury.
Wissa has yet to make his debut for Newcastle since joining the club from Brentford for £55m in the summer, due to the injury he suffered while on international duty in September.
The player has missed three months of football but Newcastle believe the worst is now behind him. Manager Eddie Howe mentioned at the weekend that he trained with the squad for the first time last week, although he is still not ready to step onto the pitch.
The decision to exclude him from the Democratic Republic of Congo squad means he can continue to recover without the demands of tournament football.
The move follows concerns expressed by Newcastle supporters, including Premier League legend Alan Shearer, that the player needs to show more responsibility towards his new club, even suggesting he should skip Afcon.
Afcon begins in Morocco later this month and runs into January. With no call-up, Wissa could finally feature for Newcastle before the end of the year if his progress continues.
The club have relied on Wissa’s fellow summer signing from Stuttgart, Nick Woltemade, to lead the line during his absence, but the DR Congo international was signed to offer immediate Premier League experience while Woltemade acclimatises to the English game.
