Yoane Wissa Ready for Bigger Role as Newcastle Targets Champions League Knockout Stage

Yoane Wissa

Newcastle United forward Yoane Wissa is ready to take on a bigger role as the team aims to qualify for the Champions League knockout stage for the first time.

Newcastle United currently sits just a point below the top eight in the Champions League...

Newcastle United's manager, Eddie Howe, has revealed that forward Yoane Wissa is ready to take on a bigger role as the team aims to qualify for the Champions League knockout stage for the first time. Wissa, who scored 20 goals for Brentford last season, made his Newcastle debut as a late substitute in Saturday's Premier League win over Burnley, becoming the 1000th player to represent the club in a league fixture.

Howe praised Wissa's performance, saying, “He is ready to take on minutes. We have limited time between matches for him to get fitness, but in those 20 minutes he showed what he is capable of.” Wissa's return from a knee injury has been a boost for Newcastle, and Howe believes he can play a crucial role in their Champions League campaign.

“However we get through, the knockout ‍phase is the target. It would be preferable to go through without a playoff, but the teams ‍we have to face ‌are in good form,” Howe said ahead of Wednesday's Champions League clash at Bayer Leverkusen.

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Newcastle United currently sits just a point below the top eight in the Champions League, with nine points from five matches. To qualify directly for the knockout stage, they'll need to secure a top-eight finish. Teams finishing ninth to 24th will enter a knockout playoff round to reach the last 16.

Training time at the BayArena! ✨ pic.twitter.com/LGqTuXoHtA

— Newcastle United (@NUFC) December 9, 2025

Eddie Howe's men are riding high after three unbeaten matches, but their last Champions League outing ended in a 2-1 loss at Olympique de Marseille. Leverkusen, who are a point below Newcastle, have won their last two Champions League matches, including a notable victory at Manchester City.