Newcastle United defender & Aston Villa transfer target injury doubts after training ground update
Newcastle United injuries: Dan Burn is closing in on a return to action for Newcastle after six weeks out.
Dan Burn could make his injury return for Newcastle United against Aston Villa at St James’ Park on Sunday (2pm kick-off).
The 33-year-old has been out for six weeks after breaking his ribs and suffering a punctured lung in Newcastle’s 1-0 defeat at Sunderland.
Burn’s injury has been part of a defensive injury crisis for The Magpies over the past month with Malick Thiaw the club’s only defender to stay fit and available throughout the busy festive period.
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NUFC injuries
Newcastle have had just four fit senior defenders in recent matches with Eddie Howe forced to play 19-year-old midfielder Lewis Miley out of position at right-back and centre-back.
Lewis Hall, Kieran Trippier, Sven Botman and Thiaw are all set to be available for Newcastle once again on Sunday. Burn will be subject to a late fitness test while Emil Krafth, Jamaal Lascelles, Tino Livramento and Fabian Schar remain out.
As such, Burn’s imminent return will come as a welcome boost to Newcastle’s side as they prepare for an important and hectic week of matches. After facing Villa on Sunday, Newcastle travel to France to face Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League on Wednesday night in their final Champions League group match.
The Magpies then travel to Anfield to face Liverpool back in the Premier League next Saturday. Howe’s side are unbeaten in their last four league matches and have won each of their four matches against Villa at St James’ Park under Howe with an aggregate score of 13-1.
But Villa head into the match sitting third, 10 points clear of Newcastle in the Premier League table.
NUFC duo return to training
Ahead of the Villa game, Newcastle welcomed Burn and Villa-linked striker William Osula to training.
Both players are officially doubts for the match, but could be part of the matchday squad on Sunday. Bruno Guimaraes is also a doubt after suffering an ankle injury against PSV Eindhoven on Wednesday evening.
Osula has been out of action for 12 weeks with an ankle injury but his absence has been mitigated by Yoane Wissa’s return from injury.
When asked if Burn will be involved against Villa, Howe explained: “Possibly. He is out with the players.
“[Friday] is possibly the first game where he's training fully with the group. That will be the key thing. He's desperate to get back involved, so that's a great sign.”
On Osula, Howe said: “He's had a length of time out. He's had to start from zero where he had a period of rest and now we're building him back up.
“But he's very close to being ready to play.”