Concerning news in Monday update on Dan Burn

With what happened just after half-time at the Sunderland v Newcastle match, what happened just before half-time with Dan Burn was predictably overshadowed.

Nick Woltemade’s bizarre own goal winner, understandably dominating the headlines.

However, what happened with Dan Burn late in the first half, arguably played a major role in how the match turned out, plus sadly it seems, with further negative impact on Newcastle United to now follow.

Dan Burn slid in to win the ball, which he did. However, Sunderland defender Mukiele also slid in, the only difference being that he slid in knowing (or at best, did so recklessly) he had no chance of connecting with the ball, but certain to connect with Dan Burn. Sure enough, Mukiele’s knee(s) connecting with Burn’s chest/ribcage area, leaving the Newcastle defender in obvious agony.

After lengthy treatment on the pitch, Dan Burn tried to carry on, but clearly was in severe discomfort.

After the match, Eddie Howe revealed that Dan Burn had been sent to hospital following the incident:

“Unfortunately, we are losing players in one area of the pitch and our back line is stretched.

“We have got a number of absentees and so to lose another one in the colossal presence that Dan Burn is, was a big one today.

“I don’t know quite how serious it is.

“It looks like a rib problem and he has gone to hospital to get them checked.

“That was a big blow for us because Dan Burn has been an ever present player.”

Now on Monday there has been a concerning update on the Newcastle United defender.

Craig Hope of The Mail says that his information is that Dan Burn has indeed sustained a rib fracture.

Hope adding that this usually means a few weeks out and Eddie Howe now down to four fit senior defenders now.

Sunderland 1 Newcastle 0 – Sunday 14 December 2025 2pm

Match Stats

Goals:

Newcastle United:

Sunderland:

Woltemade OG 46

Possession was Newcastle 54% Sunderland 46%

Total shots were Newcastle 6 Sunderland 5

Shots on target were Newcastle 2 Sunderland 1

Corners were Newcastle 6 Sunderland 3

Touches in the opposition box Newcastle 14 Sunderland 14

Newcastle team v Sunderland:

Ramsdale, Livramento, Thiaw, Burn (Schar 42), Hall, Tonali (Willock 59), Miley, Bruno, Gordon (Barnes 59), Woltemade (Wissa 75), Elanga (Jacob Murphy 59)

Unused subs:

Ruddy, Joelinton, Alex Murphy, Ramsey