Eddie Howe confirms Newcastle United injury blow ahead of Barcelona

Eddie Howe has confirmed that striker Yoane Wissa is expected to be out for at least a month.

Newcastle’s summer signing suffered a knee injury while on international duty with DR Congo and is now set to be out until after the next international break.

“Yoane will, we hope, be back after the next international break, so that’s the plan,” Howe said.

“That can always change, it’s always flexible, but that’s what I’ve been told.”

Fellow summer signing Jacob Ramsey is also set to miss out again with an ankle injury.

The Magpies host Spanish giants Barcelona in their first game of the Champions League.

Howe’s side missed out on Europe last season but the Newcastle boss says he is relishing having Champions League football back at St James’ Park.

“The experience, the size and the magnitude of the games, everything that goes into the Champions League is different to the Premier League.

“The build up is different, the feel is different. Having done that before certainly helps us and the squad is arguably stronger.

“I back the quality that we have. They are tough fixtures for us. The early games are really important because they set the foundations.”