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Newcastle United defender Dan Burn has suffered a broken rib and punctured lung after a collision against Sunderland, ruling him out for the festive period and much of January.
Dan Burn is set for a lengthy spell on the sidelines after suffering a broken rib and a punctured lung during Newcastle United’s derby defeat to Sunderland.
The injury occurred shortly before half-time following a heavy collision with Nordi Mukiele, who caught Burn with a knee in a fierce challenge and was shown a yellow card for the foul.
Despite being in visible pain, Burn initially attempted to continue, but was eventually forced off in the 42nd minute.
The seriousness of the injury became clear during the interval, when Burn reported difficulty breathing to Newcastle’s medical staff.
He was immediately taken to the hospital, where scans confirmed both a fractured rib and lung damage. British media report the defender will be sidelined for at least six weeks, potentially missing up to ten matches.
The setback means Burn is expected to miss the entire festive fixture period and most of January, dealing a significant blow to Newcastle’s defensive options.
Newcastle head coach Eddie Howe confirmed the severity of the situation after the match.
“At half-time he had difficulty breathing. It was a serious matter,” Howe said. “We took him to the hospital for checks. We hope he will be fine.”
Howe also highlighted how damaging Burn’s absence could be, with Newcastle already stretched at the back.
“We are losing players in defence, where we are already very limited. Dan was practically always available and his absence is a big blow for us,” he added.
Burn, one of the leaders in the dressing room and Newcastle’s vice-captain, has been a key figure for Howe since arriving at the club, known for his reliability and physical presence.
The incident once again underlined the intensity of English football, particularly in derby matches, where physical duels often push players to the limit.
Newcastle will now have to reshuffle defensively as they navigate a demanding run of fixtures without one of their most dependable performers.