‘Just what they need’ - Garth Crooks hails ‘very impressive’ Newcastle United star who has ‘always caught his eye’

Garth Crooks has heaped praise on Newcastle United centre-back Dan Burn for his display in the Magpies’ 1-0 win over Aston Villa on Sunday.

Eddie Howe’s men picked up a third successive victory to open up a four-point gap between themselves and the relegation zone, with Kieran Trippier’s first-half free-kick proving to be the difference in a spirited showing at St. James’ Park.

But it was Burn, starting at the heart of defence in his very first game for his boyhood club, who impressed Crooks the most with his commanding presence.

Speaking to BBC Sport, the pundit even went as far as to name the 29-year-old in his Team of the Week.

He said: “He [Burn] was a player who always caught my eye when he played for Brighton and seemed to improve under Graham Potter. So I wasn’t entirely surprised when Eddie Howe decided to invest in such a dependable defender.

“Burn is a snip at £13m, while his debut for Newcastle against Aston Villa proved just how effective he can be.

“He can play almost anywhere across the back four and seems like just what the Magpies need to tighten things up at the back. A very impressive debut.”

Burn also earned high praise from his new boss, with Howe hailing the defender in an interview with the club’s official website.

He said: “He was excellent. Very calm. He added composure to the back-line.

“Aerially he was very good, he swept up a lot of dangerous situations in a calm and composed way.

“It’s so nice him being here. I know how much the club means to him so it was a great moment.”