Dan Burn refuses to 'sit on bench' amid Newcastle challenge after Botman and Lascelles move

Dan Burn still believes he should be a starter at Newcastle United and will do everything he can to avoid being a squad player at St James' Park.

Having triggered a clause in his contract to extend his existing deal beyond the 2024/25 season, Burn has been deemed a mainstay in Eddie Howe's starting XI. True, both club captain Jamaal Lascelles and Dutch ace Sven Botman are out for another eight weeks, but Burn has had a sturdy start to the campaign.

Speaking about his own personal performances, Burn told reporters after the 1-0 loss to Brighton: "I feel like I’ve been playing well this season. I’m not going to be a player that’s just happy to be here and be a good trainer and sit on the bench - I want to play and believe I’m good enough to play.

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"I honestly feel like I’m still getting better and have more improvement to make. I’ve got a load of games under my belt so that experience helps as well. When you hit 30 everyone says that you’re nearly done, but I’m still enjoying it and have a lot of fight to push the lads and play at this level."

And after extending his contract, which was due to expire at the end of the season, Burn said: "The contract has been activated quite a while.

"For some reason, it’s only coming out now. I’ve always said that I want to be here as long as possible so to activate that side of it obviously gives me a bit more security. But I want more and I’d love to be here longer.

"I’d love to finish my career here. I’ve moved home, my kids are back with their family and get to see them a lot, that was always the plan."

Blyth lad Burn has been a major part of the dressing room leadership group and skippered Newcastle on many occasions since his £13m move from Brighton in 2022. At 32, he still has good years ahead of him on the field, but said: "I’ve started my coaching badges, do little bits of media stuff, bits to keep me ticking over.

"I’d love to keep doing something with the club when I’m finished, whatever that may be."