Dan Burn Faces Newcastle Starting Role Fight After Coventry Return
Dan Burn is back from his ankle injury, but Newcastle’s captain faces a fight to reclaim a starting place after his brief return in the 4-1 loss to Coventry City.
What we know
- The 34-year-old defender missed the opening weeks of the campaign with an ankle problem and has now completed his recovery.
- Burn was used late against Coventry, with manager Matthias Jaissle following medical guidance as he builds the former Brighton player’s minutes.
- Jaissle has warned that Burn may not yet be ready to start, despite the club captain’s importance to the squad.
- Sven Botman and Malick Thiaw have formed Newcastle’s first-choice central-defence pairing in recent matches.
- Burn accepts that the captaincy will not secure him a place. He said he has worked hard on his fitness and must earn an opportunity because those currently playing have performed well.
- Jaissle has relied on Burn’s experience in the dressing room after the previous coaching staff departed following Eddie Howe’s summer exit.
Next step: Aston Villa at St James’ Park
Newcastle will aim to respond immediately when Aston Villa visit next. Jaissle’s side are 11th in the Premier League with eight points from six games, while Villa have taken five points from their opening fixtures.
The key decision will be whether Burn’s recovery has progressed far enough for a larger role, or whether Botman and Thiaw continue at the heart of the defence.
