Newcastle United defender Dan Burn will miss the busy festive period after being stretchered off in Sunday's Wear-Tyne derby defeat to Sunderland with a rib injury
Ben Pawlowski
09:56, 17 Dec 2025
Newcastle United boss Eddie Howe has confessed his backline is looking "vulnerable" after revealing that centre-half Dan Burn will be sidelined for the hectic festive fixture list with a rib problem.
The England defender was hospitalised overnight following Sunday's devastating Wear-Tyne derby loss after a brutal sliding tackle from Sunderland's Nordi Mukiele, who received a yellow card for the incident. Burn, 33, tried to continue but was withdrawn just before the interval after reporting breathing troubles.
At a press conference before the Magpies' Carabao Cup quarter-final home tie against Fulham tonight, Howe revealed that the supporters' darling faces a lengthy spell out of action.
"It was sort of under the radar in terms of reviewing the game the importance of Dan and losing him, just for everything he brings to the team," Howe explained. "It was a big blow for us because I think he's been excellent in recent weeks. It's a rib problem and an issue with his lungs so we wish him well and it will be around four to six weeks out."
The setback leaves Howe with a depleted defence going into twelve matches in rapid succession throughout the rest of December and January. Burn joins an expanding injury list featuring crucial players including Sven Botman, Kieran Trippier and Emil Krafth, whilst Jamal Lascelles and Harrison Ashby have been battling fitness concerns.
Fabian Schar, Malick Thiaw, Lewis Hall and Tino Livramento are the only four senior defensive options left, alongside Lascelles who could make his comeback at St James' Park tonight after his last outing in Newcastle's 2-1 league loss to Arsenal in September.
"The back line is an issue for us," Howe acknowledged. "We don't have many injuries, but we have a concentrated group of players that are out and all play in the same position. Whenever you get that you're stretched, so our backline is looking vulnerable."
Howe will be seeking an instant response from his squad following a disappointing display in the Wear-Tyne derby. Sunderland maintained their unbeaten streak in league derby clashes to ten matches after Nick Woltemade directed the ball into his own net shortly after the interval.
"All I urge the supporters to do is what they've always done since I've been here and that's support the team when they're playing," Howe stated. "We have a huge group of games to come and we have the opportunity to still make this an amazing season, so while we're in that position while everything can still be positive we gave to attack it will all of our efforts combined."
Current Carabao Cup holders Newcastle face Fulham tonight at 8.15pm.