Brentford manager confirms Newcastle target Yoane Wissa will miss Premier League opener

Brentford boss Keith Andrews has confirmed striker Wissa will not play in their Premier League opener against Forest on Sunday. The 28-year-old scored 19 top-flight goals last season and has been lined up as a transfer target for Newcastle, who want both him and another striker to replace the unsettled Alexander Isak.

Wissa shouldered a large brunt of Brentford's goalscoring burden alongside Bryan Mbeumo last season. His former team-mate has left for Manchester United and Wissa also wants to depart, giving new manager Andrews a tough start to his assignment in west London.

Speaking in a pre-match press conference, Andrews said: “It has been a very disrupted pre-season and the interest in Yoane is very clear.

“I have a very good relationship with him, and that will persist. But we have to focus on the players who are ready, and I don’t think Yoane’s in that space. He won’t be involved.”

Wissa has not taken part in any of Brentford's pre-season matches and withdrew from their training camp in Portugal. He has reportedly rejoined first-team training and his exit is thought to be dependent on the Bees signing a new striker.

Wissa will be hoping enough dominos fall so he can secure his exit from the Gtech Community Stadium, with the summer transfer window due to close on September 1.