England’s unlikely lad Dan Burn setting sights on World Cup

LONDON – Newcastle United’s Dan Burn knows his career has not been a “straight line”, but at the age of 32 everything is suddenly falling into place for the defender who on March 21 could earn a belated first England cap.

Last week, he took a call from new Three Lions manager Thomas Tuchel who informed him that he was part of the squad for the World Cup qualifiers against Albania and Latvia at Wembley on March 21 and 24.

Then on March 16, the 1.98m-tall Burn’s majestic header, his first goal of the season, paved the way for Newcastle’s first domestic trophy for 70 years, a 2-1 League Cup final win over Liverpool.

So on March 18, he was the man everyone wanted to talk to at England’s St George’s Park headquarters.

“I’ve had worse weeks,” Burn said of how he received the call-up.

“When it got to 6 o’clock Thursday night and I’d not heard anything, I said to my wife: ‘I don’t think anything’s going to happen’, then I got a text saying: ‘Are you still awake?’”

“(Tuchel) said that he just had been ringing everyone who hadn’t made the squad, so again I didn’t think I was making it. But then he said he just needed to end the day on a good note, and that he wanted me in the squad.”

As a boyhood Newcastle fan born just a few miles from the city, he could have been forgiven for wanting to make the most of the party that followed the Magpies’ long-awaited success.

But the centre-back knew he was due to report for England duty on March 17. So he wisely opted against joining the alcohol-fuelled partying to keep him fresh.

“It was strange. As soon as I left the stadium on Sunday my focus completely switched to this,” Burn added.

“There will be time to celebrate. I know the club’s put stuff out about there being a parade, so I think that’s when I’ll celebrate. But I’ve waited a long time for this (England) opportunity and didn’t want to spoil it.”

Burn’s call-up continues a heart-warming tale of a player who learnt in the school of hard knocks.

Born in Blyth, down the road from Newcastle, his career began at Blyth Spartans before a move to Darlington. He spent years five at Fulham, included loans at Yeovil Town and Birmingham City, but was released in 2016.

After a spell at Wigan Athletic, his versatility attracted Brighton & Hove Albion and, after establishing himself as a Premier League defender, his beloved Newcastle came knocking in January 2022.

Burn’s role in Newcastle’s League Cup triumph has now cemented him in the club’s folklore but he is now setting his sights even higher – the 2026 World Cup Finals.

“I’m not just coming in as a cheerleader, I want to play,” he said.

“I want to make as big of an impression as I can and then just try and make the next camp. Obviously, every little kid’s dream is to play in a World Cup.

“So to know that I’ve got that opportunity, if I take it, it’s special. When you’ve been passed up over so many international breaks you sort of accept that time’s passed but luckily the new manager has taken a chance on me.”

Burn has played in various defensive roles throughout his career, including left-back, and said he would even play right wing to get on the pitch.

But it is as a rugged centre-back that he has made his mark, as some of his new England teammates reminded him on March 17.

“I remember I absolutely smashed Jared (Bowen) when he was at West Ham, and straight away I went to apologise,” Burn said, adding that his journeyed career had made him more resilient.

“I’ve been doubted a lot over my career. I think not many people who watched me play at Darlington would have said I’ll be sat here doing a press conference for England.

“But I feel like I deserve to be here.” REUTERS, AFP