Newcastle star's struggle explained as Eddie Howe hails 'huge transfer success'

WEARING the captain's armband and moving across into the heart of the Newcastle defence have both been contributing factors to Dan Burn's fine recent form.

But the main reason the towering Geordie is back to his best, says Eddie Howe, is the fact he's fully fit again.

Burn endured a run of poor form at the turn of the year, which led to him being left on the bench for the February defeat at Arsenal, but the fact he was off-colour was understandable, says Howe, who revealed the 32-year-old rushed back from a serious injury quicker than he should have done because he was so desperate to help a Newcastle squad that was struggling and down to bare bones at the time.

Only last week, Burn opened up on the injury and what followed. Despite fracturing three bones in his back, he only missed five games, though admits: "I probably came back a little earlier than I should have."

He said: "Essentially it was a broken back, it was agony and tough, you can't really run off a broken back.

"I came back within six weeks and wouldn't have pushed myself through it if I didn't feel good. I'll not be the only person who has done that for Newcastle this season."

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Burn has since rediscovered his best form and put that tough spell behind him, but the fact he was willing to play through the pain barrier shows his dedication to the Newcastle cause, says Howe.

"The captaincy and the position change have been important but for me probably the bigger thing is his recovery from his back injury," said Newcastle's head coach.

"I think that just took a little bit of time. He was back way ahead of schedule. He put his body in the line for the team.

"It was a serious injury and you could see in the first few games when he came back, he wasn't moving as fluently as he was pre-injury. That's regardless of position. But you can see he's moving now like a brand new Dan Burn.

"He's been exceptional. He is a true leader. He's definitely someone who enhances our culture and the way we work behind the scenes. I can't speak highly enough of him."

Burn will today face his former side Brighton, who he left to join Newcastle in the summer of 2022, a signing which has turned out to be one of Howe's most important.

"He's been a huge success," said Howe.

"I don't spend time at night thinking of my top five (signings) but in my head he's been a huge success and I'm delighted with the signing."