Newcastle defender Dan Burn’s England dream is still alive, claims Eddie Howe… as the Magpies boss insists the 6ft 6ins star was ‘unlucky’ not to go to the Qatar World Cup
Eddie Howe says Dan Burn has not given up on his dream of playing for England after narrowly missing out on the World Cup.
The Newcastle boss has a close relationship with Gareth Southgate and he believes Burn was very close to making the squad for Qatar.
Burn, 30, has been outstanding for his hometown club in the 12 months since joining from Brighton for £11million and scored his first goal during Tuesday’s 2-0 Carabao Cup quarter-final win against Leicester.
Eddie Howe says defender Dan Burn, 30, has not given up on his dream of playing for England
The Newcastle manager believes Burn was ‘unlucky’ not to make the squad for the World Cup
Talk of an England call-up has quietened amid the return to Premier League action, but Howe insists his defender should remain in the reckoning.
‘Dan is probably silently very motivated by England,’ he said. ‘I don’t think it’s something he would communicate necessarily to me or to his team-mates, maybe when pushed in the media possibly.
‘But I think he is very much of the mindset that his performances speak for themselves, and that he would hope they would be enough to be in contention.
Burn scored his first goal for his hometown club in Tuesday’s 2-0 League Cup win vs Leicester
‘For me, he was very unlucky not to go to the World Cup. I’m not putting pressure on Gareth, but I would think he would have been very close. He just missed out, I think, and he’s carried that form on.
‘The World Cup has ended and that dream faded, but there’s still time for him and his adaptability and versatility is potentially a real avenue in with England.’
Burn has emerged as a fan favourite at St James’ Park, a position cemented when he danced in the dressing-room on live television after the midweek win. He comes up against former club Fulham on Sunday, and Howe believes he is still improving.
And the versatile star celebrated it with a hilarious dance in the dressing room (pictured)
‘If you’re going to sign a player of Dan’s age and of that profile, you hope it goes as his story has – and I think he has improved,’ said the head coach. ‘He’s done a very good job in whatever position I’ve asked him to play.
‘He’s embraced everything that the club stands for and he’s got a winning mindset. He’s not here just to play for Newcastle, he wants to achieve, so it’s turned out to be a very good transfer for us.
‘He’s very humble and very low maintenance. He’s a top player as well, so it’s a great mix from a manager’s perspective, definitely.’