Newcastle United will face Burnley at Turf Moor this afternoon, hoping to build on their 5-1 victory over Sheffield United at St James’ Park last weekend.
Eddie Howe’s side won thanks to goals from Alexander Isak, Callum Wilson, Bruno Guimaraes, and an own goal by Ben Osborn, keeping the Magpies’ slender prospects of playing in Europe next season alive.
The club can make it back-to-back victories against another relegation-threatened side when they play Vincent Kompany’s side, who have a little chance of staying up this season.
However, if Howe’s team is to secure all three points, they will have to do it without experienced centre-back Fabian Schar, who limped out with a hamstring injury during last weekend’s win over the Blades, with the Magpies manager announcing he will not play again this season.
That being said, we look at three potential partners for Dan Burn this afternoon…
The Swiss international’s injury puts him alongside Sven Botman and Jamaal Lascelles on the sidelines, leaving Howe with a problem over who should replace the 32-year-old for the journey to Lancashire.
1. The Obvious Choice
Emil Krafth
His appearance total has risen dramatically from last season, when he just made one league appearance, coming on as a late-minute replacement in a 3-3 draw with Manchester City.
However, like Lascelles and Botman, he sustained an ACL tear, causing him to miss the majority of the season until returning to contention in recent months.
Prior to last weekend, the 29-year-old had made four consecutive Premier League starts, but Schar’s hamstring injury forced the right-back into a slightly uncomfortable central position.
However, he has been dependable e figure in among the chaos at St James’ Park, with Howe likely to rely on his experience once more this weekend.
The Younger Alternative
Alex Murphy
Given the club’s injury issues, Newcastle manager Howe could give teenager Alex Murphy his first Premier League start after bringing him off the bench last weekend.
Murphy, 19, joined Newcastle from Irish club Galway United in the summer of 2022, and he immediately joined the club’s academy.
Murphy, who can play both left-back and centre-back, has appeared seven times for Newcastle’s U21 side in Premier League 2 this season, as well as being included to the first-team squad for a warm-weather training camp in Saudi Arabia.
However, the Magpies manager gave him a rare opportunity against Wilder’s team at St James’ Park, but he failed to impress in his short minutes on the bench.
Newcastle branded the “impressive” defender Chronicle writer Mark Carruthers, deserves the opportunity between now and the end of the campaign to impress the fans – potentially allowing him to make more first-team appearances in 2024/25.
The Wildcard Option
Cathal Heffernan
Although Cathal Heffernan is yet to make his senior debut on Tyneside, the bright teenager has made significant contributions to the club’s youth group since signing.
Since joining from Italian side AC Milan last summer, the 19-year-old centre-back has made 23 appearances for various minor levels, scoring three times, including against the Italians in the UEFA minor League.
It would be surprising to see the Irish defender given his first chance in the Magpies’ first team this weekend, but considering the club’s current injury issue, it could be the ideal time for Heffernan to showcase his abilities.
Newcastle have given teenagers Lewis Miley and Elliot Anderson numerous opportunities this season, and they have taken enormous advances and cemented their spots as regular players in Howe’s side.
Howe should try to repeat his choice with Heffernan, with the club and the youngster potentially enjoying the benefits of putting their trust in the youth, with the Irishman having the potential to be the next academy breakthrough into Howe’s team.
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