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'Worried' pundit fears Dan Burn injury could relegate Newcastle United
Newcastle United will only remain in the Premier League as long as Dan Burn stays fit.
That’s according to former West Ham hitman Frank McAvennie, speaking exclusively to Football Insider about the defender’s impressive start to life at St James’ Park.
January signing Burn, 29, hasn’t missed a minute of football for Newcastle since making his debut against Aston Villa on 13 February.
The Magpies kept a clean sheet in that game and they have only conceded once in the following two fixtures.
McAvennie has been impressed with Burn’s performances but fears Newcastle could fall apart if he gets injured.
“Burn is the big one, for me,” McAvennie told Football Insider correspondent Ben Wild.
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“He’s come in and made that defence so much better already. That was the thing everyone knew they needed in January, a new centre-back.
“They were never going to stay up with the defence that started the season.
“Newcastle have lost Trippier as well and they don’t look any worse, that’s because Burn is there.
“He’s a Geordie as well isn’t he, that always helps. I do worry if he gets injured though.
“Then they are back to that really bad centre-back pair who started the season and they won’t keep clean sheets.
“Centre-backs don’t tend to get injured often so hopefully Newcastle will be ok.”
Burn made 13 Premier League appearances for Brighton this season before joining the Magpies in January.
Newcastle are next in action against Brighton on Saturday (5 March).
In other news, “out of order” Newcastle United fans slammed by Paddy Kenny amid criticism of one January signing.