WHEN Anthony Gordon was interviewed on TV after the midweek success at Arsenal, he was understandably asked about Newcastle's in-form Alexander Isak.

But after praising the in-form striker, Gordon was keen to compliment another of his teammates, describing Dan Burn as Newcastle's Player of the Season so far.

And that was music to the ears of boss Eddie Howe.

“I didn't know Anthony had said that – I'm pleased he did because he's not mentioning himself in that, so he's passing the praise somewhere else, which I always think is a good thing," said Howe ahead of this weekend's FA Cup tie against Bromley.

“And quite rightly to Dan because I think Dan has been very, very good this season, and he always shows, for me, the spirit that we need. He knows what it means to represent the football club, he conducts himself in a brilliant way whether it's on the pitch or off the pitch. But he has been the model of consistency and he has been someone that you can rely on, and you need players like that.

“When we signed Dan, he maybe wasn't the sexiest name we could have brought to the football club, but for me, he's been fundamentally vital to what we've done because he cares so much, his life the right way and he's a very, very good player."

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Howe will tinker with his defence against Bromley on Sunday as he takes the opportunity to freshen up his side. That will likely mean a rest for Sven Botman after the centre-half returned after his long lay-off to star in the wins at Tottenham and Arsenal.

Howe said: "Sven's doing well, yeah, I think there was naturally just a build up of fatigue. It's a big ask for him to play the two games that he did. With consultation with Sven and the medical team, he felt he was able to go again against Arsenal, a very quick turnaround and two high level games.

"I thought he was absolutely brilliant in both games and when you consider he was feeling a bit fatigued in his groin, I think in the second half, you wouldn't have known in his performance.

"He was determined, physically excellent in near enough every respect and especially when again you consider he's on an unnatural side of the pitch [right sided centre-half], you wouldn't have known and that gives us real food for thought for the future that he could play that role. Fingers crossed no ill-effects."