Newcastle United team news: The Magpies have been dealt a fresh injury blow ahead of their Premier League opener against Liverpool.
Newcastle United will be without captain Dan Burn for this afternoon’s Premier League opener at home to Liverpool (4:30pm kick-off).
The Gazette understands Burn rolled his ankle in training and is likely to be sidelined for at least a couple of weeks. The 34-year-old is wearing a protective boot to limit movement while he recovers.
Club sources have claimed the injury is not serious but will keep him out of Newcastle’s first few matches of the new 2026/27 campaign. It also limits the Magpies’ centre-back options, with Sven Botman in line to start against the Reds alongside Malick Thiaw, leaving Fabian Schar, who hasn’t made a competitive appearance since January through injury, as the only senior back-up.
Will Osula (l) and captain Dan Burn of Newcastle United in discussion during the pre-season friendly match between Newcastle United and Strasbourg at St James' Park on August 16, 2026 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)placeholder image
Will Osula (l) and captain Dan Burn of Newcastle United in discussion during the pre-season friendly match between Newcastle United and Strasbourg at St James' Park on August 16, 2026 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images) | Getty Images
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Burn was appointed as club skipper following the departure of Bruno Guimaraes to Premier League champions Arsenal.
“Very proud to be named club captain,” Burn said. “I said it's something that, some things you can't really dream of when you're a kid, but for me that was a dream from very early on to be captain of Newcastle, so very grateful for the opportunity and looking forward to leading the lads this season.
“I've been part of the leadership group a long time, and just because I wasn't wearing the armband, I still felt as if I was a captain of sorts.
“So, yeah, much the same, I try to lead by example, and we've got a lot of a younger team this year and some new players, so I'm trying to help them as much as possible and make them realise what it is to be a footballer for Newcastle.”
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The defender only had a limited pre-season with Newcastle after being away with England at the 2026 World Cup. Burn was given an extended break as a result, missing the pre-season training camp in La Manga as well as the friendly matches against Darlington, Gateshead, Bristol City, Valencia, Everton and Bayer Leverkusen before playing 45 minutes in Newcastle’s final friendly match against Strasbourg at St James’ Park last weekend.
Burn joins Tino Livramento and Joelinton on the sidelines. Livramento is closing in on a return after a calf injury, while Joelinton has been ruled for at least a couple of weeks.