Les Ferdinand thinks Wissa’s importance to Newcastle has just increased due to key Woltemade issue

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Newcastle United could be set to hand out two debuts this weekend, and Les Ferdinand believes Yoane Wissa’s importance to the team has increased due to one issue with Nick Woltemade.

Eddie Howe’s team signed both attackers in a bid to bolster their options and ultimately replace Alexander Isak, who joined Liverpool.

Now Wissa and Woltemade could make their first appearances for Newcastle against Wolves this weekend, with both men being under pressure to provide the Magpies with some firepower.

Woltemade is an unknown commodity in the Premier League, having never played in the English top flight, and that is where Wissa’s experience could prove to be vital.

Les Ferdinand believes Yoane Wissa will ‘take a bit of pressure off’ Woltemade

Wissa is a proven commodity in the Premier League, which isn’t the case for Newcastle’s £65million signing from Stuttgart.

That is why Les Ferdinand told Sky Sports News that the former Brentford man is going to be crucial for Howe’s team this season.

“He’s untried in the Premier League, and so it’s going to be a tough test for him. It was important that they brought Wissa, because that will take a bit of pressure off of Woltemade.

“Again, it remains to be seen. Players sometimes come into the Premier League, and it takes a while for them to get used to it.

“He’s not what I call a traditional type centre forward who plays in the middle, likes to come off the wing a little bit.

“I suppose the modern centre forward nowadays wants to come in off that left side and use their right foot and score goals coming in from the side, and that’s what he’s traditionally done where he’s been.

“It will be interesting to see how he fits into the Premier League, tough ask to fill Isak’s boots at the moment.

“But give him time and hopefully he can settle and do the job that Newcastle fans would like him to do.”

Nick Woltemade has been backed by pundits despite Germany performance

Woltemade is one of the biggest unknowns for this season in the Premier League, and his performance for Germany during the recent international break didn’t help that situation.

German media slated Woltemade for his efforts during their 2-0 loss against Slovakia, which will have proven to be a concerning situation for Newcastle supporters.

However, Micah Richards has publicly praised Woltemade, making it clear that he believes the striker will prove to be a brilliant signing for the Magpies.

Meanwhile, Newcastle United legend Alan Shearer has backed Woltemade to score 25 goals in the Premier League this season.