Newcastle United defender Dan Burn is set for a spell on the sidelines after sustaining a rib injury against Sunderland.
The 33-year-old was forced off in the first half at the Stadium of Light, having suffered a sliding challenge to the chest from Sunderland’s Nordi Mukiele.
Dan Burn had to be substituted in the 42nd minute, with Eddie Howe confirming that he was struggling to breathe before being taken to hospital.
That compounded a miserable day for Dan Burn, who was powerless to stop Newcastle United losing against Sunderland.
Finish this sentence, the worst thing about Newcastle United’s defeat to Sunderland was _
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Dan Burn suffers fractured rib during Newcastle United’s defeat to Sunderland
If Burn could have carried on, he would have. However, you could see how much he was struggling in the aftermath of Mukiele’s challenge.
Now an update on the centre-back has emerged, with the Daily Mail’s Craig Hope stating on X that Burn could be absent for a ‘few weeks’.
Hope wrote on X: “The word overnight was Dan Burn has a rib fracture. That usually means a few weeks out. NUFC down to 4 fit senior defenders as it stands.”
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Burn’s injury at the Stadium of Light resulted in Fabian Schar being introduced, and he now looks set to enjoy a run in the starting XI alongside Malick Thiaw in the Toon defence.
The Magpies suddenly have a shortage of centre-backs, with Sven Botman injured too. Jamaal Lascelles’ availability is unclear, as the 32-year-old has not even been on the bench since the 3-1 defeat to Brentford in November.
Newcastle United’s defensive injury crisis gets worse
Newcastle should be able to cope with Thiaw and Schar at centre-back. They are two very good players who have looked comfortable alongside each other.
However, Burn’s injury comes at a time when Eddie Howe is already short of defensive options.
There is no cover at full-back, with Kieran Trippier and Emil Krafth injured. Now there is suddenly a shortage of options at centre-back too, which is a concern amid Newcastle’s gruelling schedule.
Hopefully Botman is available soon, while the January transfer window is looming. Newcastle want to sign a full-back, while it could be argued that they need a centre-back as well after Dan Burn’s injury.
While he is only going to be out for a few weeks, his absence will be firmly felt.
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