DAN BURN insists there is “no animosity” to departed striker Alexander Isak - but the [Newcastle United](http://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/sport/football/newcastle) defender can understand the "frustration" that accompanied the Swede's move to Liverpool.
Isak effectively went on strike at St James’ Park in order to force a move through to Liverpool, with a British record £130m transfer finally completed on Monday’s transfer deadline day.
Newcastle fans turned against him, which Burn understands, but the centre-half accepts that the Sweden international had to look after himself.
“I’ve been in football long enough to understand that for a player, the careers are short and they’ve got things that they want to achieve,” Burn said ahead of England’s World Cup qualifier with Andorra tomorrow. “So for me, happy that it’s over.
“Alex is a mate, so it was tough situation because you wanted him to be around and helping the team, but also understand for him, what he needs to do personally. So I’ve got nothing but good wishes for Alex.
“No animosity, I think as a Newcastle fan, and you know what Newcastle fans are like, we’re very protective of our club, and our city.
“You want players to be there who want to play for Newcastle, and naively you don’t want them to think that there’s anywhere else to go, apart from playing at Newcastle.
“So I understand why our fans are frustrated. But as I said, I think I’ve been in the game long enough now to understand what goes on. I wish Alex all the best, apart from when we play Liverpool.”
Burn’s attention is currently on England matters and he hopes to consolidate his chances of making the World Cup in the qualifying double-header against Andorra and Serbia.
His call-up for Thomas Tuchel’s first squad in March came as a surprise, but now Burn is focusing on making the plane to North America next summer.
“I try to go in with that mentality that I am leaving absolutely everything out there and not have any regrets," he said. "The more camps, I take the more confidence from it. On a personal level, I am probably playing the best football of my career.
“I am in a good place physically and mentally, where I am up for the challenge. In my first camp, the World Cup was something not close to being on my radar. But now I am on camp three, I just want to implement what the gaffer is asking of me in the team and play as well as I can, so I can get picked for these camps.”