Nick Woltemade is a player destined to be not only the next great Eddie Howe success story, but the future of the Newcastle United project itself.

Joining for a club record fee from Stuttgart back in August, things are already starting to click for the big German on Tyneside, and he’s the reason we of course have our first win of the campaign under our belt.

But at 23-years-old and acclimatising to the Premier League, Woltemade is still some way away from becoming the world-class talent many expect him to become.

Howe has a plan for the youngster, however, and he’s outlined where he feels Woltemade can improve over the course of the season to elevate himself to the next level and be the player we need to fill the void left by Alexander Isak and Callum Wilson’s departures.

Fitness key for Nick Woltemade

Speaking ahead of our Carabao Cup game against Bradford on Wednesday, Eddie Howe has talked up the importance of Nick Woltemade building his fitness levels as he adapts to the physicality of English football.

Howe believes the German has made a “really strong start” to his Newcastle career, but realises that the “relentless” demands of the Premier League has been his biggest early challenge, forcing us to manage his load.

A lot has been made so far of his debut goal against Wolves and patches of strong link up play against Bournemouth, although Howe thinks we’ll see his game go to another level once his fitness levels improve:

“Regarding Nick, I think he’s made a really strong start. I think Nick will improve the fitter he gets.”

“Firstly, I think that’s a huge thing. He’s come to us with, obviously, not being used to the demands of Premier League football, and this league is relentless physically. And of course, our schedule is relentless.”

“So in terms of us doing physical work with him, that’s very, very difficult. A lot of what we’re going to be doing with him in the short term is to try and keep him fit by not putting him in dangerous positions, in terms of playing 90 minutes, consecutive 90 minutes, too early.”

“But fitness will be an issue, because the Premier League is different, as I said, so I think that’s the biggest thing for him. I think once he gets fitter, you’ll see an even better product.”

Wissa return can help Woltemade – Howe

It summed up Newcastle’s summer luck perfectly when Wissa, a player with a phenomenal fitness record whilst he was at Brentford, got injured days after signing for us whilst on international duty.

But Howe knows that once he has the 29-year-old to choose from, it will not only allow him to relax and develop Woltemade in more suitable manner, but maintain our attacking threat with Wissa as an option, owing to his proven Premier League experience.

“It’s totally different case with Yoane (Wissa).

“If Yoane was available now, he’d be allowing us to work with Nick’s fitness in between games, by sharing some of the load.

“But certainly we need him back and need him back quickly.”

With Wissa’s absence in mind and Woltemade needed for Sunday’s league clash with Arsenal, it’s very likely that Will Osula leads the line tonight as we welcome Bradford City to St James’ Park.