Newcastle United injury news: Dan Burn returned to action against PSG on Wednesday night in a major boost for Eddie Howe ahead of games against Liverpool and Manchester City.
Dan Burn has admitted he was ‘a little bit anxious’ about how his body would hold up on his return to the starting XI at the Parc des Princes on Wednesday night.
Burn had been out of action for over a month since suffering a rib injury and punctured lung during a challenge with Nordi Mukiele during their defeat to Sunderland last month. Having been an unused substitute against Aston Villa last weekend, Burn was thrown into the starting XI against PSG as part of a major formation and system reshuffle by Eddie Howe.
Burn played on the left of a back three alongside Malick Thiaw and Sven Botman and after a rocky start, one that they were forced to weather a storm put on them by their hosts, Burn and co grew into the game and largely kept the reigning European champions at arms length throughout the 90 minutes.
Burn was even caught overlapping a much fresher Anthony Gordon in the final few minutes of the game as the Magpies pressed for a winner. Described, rather tongue-in-cheek, by Eddie Howe as ‘like a new signing’ last week, Burn’s return to the team was a genuine boost for Newcastle United and one that will give his head coach a fresh option to use in upcoming matches.
Dan Burn makes Newcastle United injury admission
To come back just a month after suffering a punctured lung and rib injuries and to put in a Player of the Match performance, as recognised by UEFA themselves, marked yet another superb moment in the black-and-white for Burn. Speaking about returning to action in Paris, the defender told BBC Radio Newcastle: “To be honest, [I was] a little bit anxious before the game. That injury did shake me up a little bit. It's something I've never had before, so I was really happy when the first whistle went because I just settled back into my routine and didn't really think about it.
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“I don't remember taking any knocks, so I was happy, but it was strange. It was probably the first time I went into a game slightly worried that I was going to get hurt again. So, I'm happy to get through.”
During his time on the sidelines, Burn missed some crucial games, including in the Champions League and Premier League. That injury also sidelined him for the first-leg of Newcastle United’s Carabao Cup semi-final against Manchester City.
Burn, who was a guest pundit on Sky Sports that night, spoke of the pain that injury had caused him: “I’m good, lungs are alright and my ribs will be a couple more weeks but feeling a lot better than I was four weeks ago,” Burn said.
“I think it’s the most pain I have ever been in. I was lying in bed for about three days, but it got better pretty quickly.”
With a trip to Anfield to come on Saturday, Burn will be determined to build his fitness levels before the Magpies head to the Etihad Stadium as they attempt to reverse that two-goal deficit and reach a second-consecutive Carabao Cup final.
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