Shearer's comments on Wissa spark debate on club versus country - but head coach says it's a topic he's staying out of

EDDIE Howe has refused to wade in and comment on Alan Shearer's views that Yoane Wissa should show some loyalty to the Magpies ahead of the African Cup of Nations.

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Howe has confirmed that Wissa has suffered a posterior cruciate ligament injury rather than the anterior cruciate issue many feared.

Wissa is back up and running and should return within eight weeks, but Shearer feels that the £50million man did not act responsibly when picking up the injury in Senegal while on DR Congo duty.

Wissa could arguably be away for a month or more if he heads away on international duty, with the tournament in Morocco stretching between 21 December 21 and January 18.

When asked about Shearer's comments, Howe said yesterday: “That's a conversation and topic that I'm not going to get involved in. That's not fair to Yoane.

“| haven't seen Alan's comments, but that's one I'll stay away from.”