Newcastle United Face Wolves Without Wissa and Ramsey, Woltemade Poised for Debut
Newcastle United will be without key signings Yoane Wissa and Jacob Ramsey for their upcoming Premier League clash against Wolverhampton Wanderers. However, new signing Nick Woltemade is in line to make his debut. The team returns to league action following the international break, aiming for their first league win of the 2025/26 season.
Injury Updates: Wissa and Ramsey Sidelined
Yoane Wissa, the deadline-day addition from Brentford, sustained a knee injury while on international duty with DR Congo and will undergo a scan to determine the severity. Eddie Howe expressed uncertainty about Wissa's return timeline. Jacob Ramsey, who suffered an ankle injury in the goalless draw against Leeds United, will also be sidelined until after the next international break.
"Unfortunately, he won't make this game. I saw him for the first time yesterday and he's feeling the effects of the [knee] injury sustained just before he came off [while on international duty]. We're going to have to see how he is," Howe said about Wissa.
Joelinton has recovered from a groin injury, providing a boost to the squad amidst the injury concerns. Howe confirmed Joelinton's return to training and availability for selection. Ramsey's absence could see him miss seven games across all competitions, including Champions League clashes.
"Jacob Ramsey's the only other injury concern we have," Howe stated. "He'll miss the game after suffering the tackle against Leeds. His ankle swelled up, he had to come off and unfortunately he'll be out until probably the next international break."
Woltemade Set for Newcastle Debut
With Wissa unavailable, Nick Woltemade, the club-record signing from VfB Stuttgart, is expected to make his full debut against Wolves. Howe praised Woltemade's training performance and adaptability. The manager sees a big opportunity for him.
"He's fine [for Wolves]. He's trained well and we're really pleased with how he's looked in the first couple of days. Big change for him, big opportunity for him," Howe said of Woltemade.
Howe Addresses Isak's Liverpool Transfer
Howe also addressed Alexander Isak's deadline-day transfer to Liverpool. He admitted their relationship changed once Isak took action to force the move, and mentioned that a mutually beneficial arrangement was over. The manager made clear the player went on "strike".
Other Talking Points: CEO Appointment and Upcoming Schedule
Howe discussed the appointment of David Hopkinson as the club's new Chief Executive Officer (CEO), praising his energy and positivity. He also mentioned the team's busy schedule, highlighting the challenge of seven matches in the next 23 days. The international break provided a good opportunity for focused training.
"We've had several conversations. He's a great person, really great energy. He's very, very positive. I think he's a great appointment," Howe said about David Hopkinson.
