Dan Burn ready to fight for Newcastle starting spot
Newcastle captain Dan Burn is fully recovered from an ankle injury and eager to challenge for a regular starting role under Matthias Jaissle.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 2.0 / Author: Trevor Littlewood
Newcastle United captain Dan Burn is ready to fight for his place in the starting line-up following his recovery from an ankle injury. The defender missed the beginning of the season but made a cameo appearance in the recent defeat to Coventry City. Manager Matthias Jaissle is now carefully managing his return to full match fitness based on medical data.
Burn acknowledges that being club captain does not grant him an automatic start, especially given the solid defensive form of Sven Botman and Malick Thiaw.
Hopefully, I've been working hard to get fit so I'm looking to get an opportunity at some point. The lads who have been playing have been doing really well. So I will have to work hard to get back in. Dan Burn
Despite his limited minutes, Burn remains a vital presence behind the scenes. Jaissle views the 34-year-old as a key leader, particularly following the significant staff turnover earlier this summer. The manager is relying on Burn's experience to maintain squad harmony while ensuring his physical integration is handled correctly.
The Magpies are now preparing for their next fixture against Aston Villa. After the disappointment in the Coventry game, Jaissle’s side will look to secure three points at home to improve their standing in the Premier League.