Brentford forward Yoane Wissa will be out for a “couple of months” after sustaining an ankle injury against Man City, says head coach Thomas Frank.
The 28-year-old forward limped off during the first half of his side’s 2-1 defeat by City on Saturday. The incident involved a tackle by city’s midfielder, Mateo Kovacic.
The Democratic Republic of Congo international scored the opening goal of the match. In deed, he scored the fastest goal of the season so far. However, he is not expected to return until November.
“Wissa is, unfortunately, not good news – it looks like an injury that will be a couple of months,” Frank said.
“It’s very frustrating. We talked about our many injuries last year – I hope I don’t have to talk too much about it this year. I maybe already have.
“We were unlucky with Igor [Thiago], unlucky with [Aaron] Hickey. We’ve then had two contact injuries with Mathias Jensen and Yoane Wissa, so that’s very frustrating.
“But that’s part of football – we move on and we will find solutions.”
Thomas Frank Frustrations
Brentford’s head coach, Thomas Frank, expressed his frustration over the incident, describing Kovacic’s tackle as “reckless” and lamenting the loss of one of his key players. Frank noted that Wissa’s absence would leave a significant void in the team, especially considering his impressive start to the season with three goals in four games.
Wissa’s injury is a major setback for Brentford, who are already dealing with a series of injuries to key players. The team had one of the highest injury rates in the Premier League last season, and this trend seems to be continuing into the current campaign. With the recent sale of Ivan Toney to Al-Ahli and the long-term injury of their £30 million summer signing Igor Thiago, Brentford’s attacking options are becoming increasingly limited.
The impact of Wissa’s injury extends beyond Brentford’s immediate tactical concerns. For Fantasy Premier League (FPL) managers, Wissa’s absence is a significant blow. He had been a popular pick due to his form and relatively low cost, and his injury will force many to rethink their strategies.
Thomas Frank remains optimistic about finding solutions within the squad. He highlighted the need for other players to step up and fill the gap left by Wissa. Players like Keane Lewis-Potter, Kevin Schade, Mathias Jensen, and Fabio Carvalho will need to contribute more significantly in the coming weeks. Lewis-Potter, for instance, has already shown promise by scoring in Brentford’s recent EFL Cup win over Colchester.
What’s Next For Brentford?
Despite the challenges, Brentford will be looking to maintain their competitive edge in the Premier League. They are currently ninth in the table and have shown resilience in their performances so far. The upcoming fixtures, including a Carabao Cup game against Leyton Orient and a Premier League match against Tottenham, will test the depth and adaptability of Frank’s squad.
The injury on Yoane Wissa could also impact DR Congo’s qualifying campaign for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.
The Leopards began their Group H campaign with wins over Guinea and Ethiopia this month, but Sebastien Desabre’s side face Tanzania home and away next month before playing their final two fixtures in November.
In conclusion, Yoane Wissa’s injury is a significant setback for Brentford, but it also presents an opportunity for other players to step up and prove their worth. The team’s ability to navigate this challenging period will be crucial in determining their success this season.