Matthias Jaissle delighted as Newcastle United boosted by 'important' World Cup star - 'like a new player'
Newcastle United finally have all of their international players back from the World Cup - less than two weeks before the start of the new season.
Matthias Jaissle and Newcastle United have been boosted by the return of Dan Burn to pre-season training with less than two weeks before the start of the new Premier League season.
Burn has missed all of Newcastle’s pre-season matches so far having been part of an England squad that finished third in the 2026 World Cup. The 34-year-old became a cult hero during the tournament for his defensive performances off the bench against Mexico and Norway to help England progress to the semi-final and ultimately achieve a best World Cup result since 1966.
FIFA guidelines state players should be given a minimum of a three-week break upon exiting the tournament. That break effectively ruled Burn out of the trip to La Manga in Spain last week.
But now the defender is back on Tyneside and training ahead of this weekend’s double-header against Bayer Leverkusen and Strasbourg at St James’ Park. He is expected to be involved in one of those matches with new head coach Jaissle expected to name different senior squads for each game, supplemented by youngsters from the Under-21s.
And with Jaissle still yet to make a decision over Newcastle’s next captain, Burn is a prime candidate following Bruno Guimaraes’ departure. Malick Thiaw, Jacob Murphy and Joelinton have all captained Newcastle so far in pre-season.
The Magpies’ Premier League season starts against Liverpool at St James’ Park on August 23.
Dan Burn ‘important’ for Matthias Jaissle
Burn famously scored a header against Liverpool in Newcastle’s Carabao Cup final win at Wembley Stadium 17 months ago. But it’s safe to say a lot has happened on and off the pitch at the club since then.
“He doesn't become important,” Jaissle said on Burn. “He is important already. He's a national team player with a lot of experience, a leader. I just had a chat with him in his first training [session], so I'm happy that he's back.
“Now we're somehow complete when it comes to the national team players, but again, there are also some positions we need to adjust.”
Dan Burn ‘like a new player’ for NUFC
Those positions, Jaissle hopes, will be adjusted with new additions in the transfer market as the club pushes for new full-back and midfield additions.
Discussing his return, Burn told the club website: “Obviously there has been a lot of change; it feels like I’m coming into a new club as a new player.”
Your next Newcastle United read: What Jaissle said after Everton defeat will certainly get NUFC fans talking