He may not have been Newcastle United’s first choice centre back signing in the January transfer window, but Dan Burn has done all his talking on the pitch since joining the club.
After failed attempts to sign multiple targets last month, the Magpies plucked Burn from Brighton & Hove Albion for £13 million as they looked to strengthen the leakiest defence in the Premier League.
And since making his debut in the 1-0 victory over Aston Villa at St. James’ Park on February 13, Burn has helped the club keep two clean sheets and played every minute since.
Over his three appearances, which also included a 1-1 draw at West Ham United and Saturday’s 2-0 win at Brentford, Burn has received high praise for his impact in the side, as the Magpies have climbed to 14th and four points above the relegation zone.
But former West Ham striker and current pundit Frank McAvennie has sent a warning to Newcastle by saying that any injury to their new centre back will leave them at risk of relegation.
Will Newcastle’s defence still be strong enough to keep them up should Burn get injured? Let us know what you think in the comments section below.
Speaking to Football Insider about Burn’s start to life in the north east, he said: “Burn is the big one, for me.
“He’s come in and made that defence so much better already. That was the thing everyone knew they needed in January, a new centre-back.
“They were never going to stay up with the defence that started the season.
“Newcastle have lost Trippier as well and they don’t look any worse, that’s because Burn is there.
“He’s a Geordie as well isn’t he, that always helps. I do worry if he gets injured though.
“Then they are back to that really bad centre-back pair who started the season and they won’t keep clean sheets.
“Centre-backs don’t tend to get injured often so hopefully Newcastle will be ok.”
The Magpies also signed Kieran Trippier from Atletico Madrid for £12million, while Matt Targett arrived on loan from Aston Villa on deadline day, as Eddie Howe added three new additions to his backline in January.
Trippier made an impressive impact and starred in the 1-0 win at Leeds United on January 22, before scoring free kicks in back-to-back games against Everton and Villa as his side picked up maximum points.
But the England international has missed the last two games after picking up an ankle injury, which has since required surgery, and now it remains to be seen as to whether he will return before the end of the season.
It was feared that Newcastle’s defence would once again struggle without his leadership but since Burn has been introduced, it has been the complete opposite.
And because of the impact the 6ft 7in centre back has made, McAvennie expressed his concern at Newcastle’s chances of survival should he get injured, with the likes of Fabian Schar and Jamaal Lascelles not deemed good enough to stop the goals going in.
It may be a harsh analysis from the pundit, but Newcastle fans will be desperate to not test that theory out should an injury to Burn occur.
