There is genuine frustration inside the club that Wissa, who had been largely injury-free during four seasons at Brentford, has hit trouble immediately upon joining Newcastle. The timing could hardly be worse, with Howe hoping to field his full-strength squad as the season heats up with a fixture against Nottingham Forest on Sunday lined up next. Despite the setback, the club remains optimistic about Wissa’s eventual contribution. His Premier League experience and goal-scoring pedigree mean that, when fit, he is expected to be a key figure in Newcastle’s front line.