Newcastle United defender Dan Burn wants to see Sunderland back in the Premier League after tasting his first-ever Tyne-Wear derby.
The Blyth-born star has experienced many derbies as a boyhood Newcastle fan but Saturday's 3-0 victory at the Stadium of Light was his first as a player.
It was the first meeting between the two rivals for almost eight years. The Black Cats have been outside England's top flight since 2017 but are knocking on the door for a return after reaching the play-offs last season.
Michael Beale's side currently sit sixth in the Championship table and Burn has revealed his unpopular view of welcoming their possible return.
“The atmosphere was class and it makes me want to play them even more,” Burn said. "This was the first meeting for eight years, Newcastle’s first win in the game for 13 years.
“I will probably get pelters for saying it but I’d like them to come up. It would be nice because those are the games, as a kid, I wanted to see. It would be great for them to come up and we could do it more often. It’s been such a long time and it was a special day.”
Burn played a full game at left-back as an Alexander Isak brace and own goal by Dan Ballard sealed United's first derby win since August 2011 - and secured progression into the fourth round of the FA Cup.
The victory could also reignite United's campaign after a disappointing month that saw them exit both the Champions League and Carabao Cup last month, as well as slip to ninth in the Premier League table.
“It’s a massive win," Burn added. "It was one of those days where it could have gone either way, if we didn’t win it would have been a bit doom and gloom but it’s important we kick on now,” he said.
“It can still be a special season for us. You’ve got to have perspective – I understand people are thinking about the way we played last season but it was always going to be a tough season.
“It’s fine margins, the way we went out of the League Cup, the way we want out of the Champions League. We haven’t performed to the best of our ability in the last month but we’re still bang up for it and we still want to kick on the second half of the season.”
1. SUNDERLAND, ENGLAND - JANUARY 06: Dan Burn of Newcastle United warms up prior to the Emirates FA Cup Third Round match between Sunderland and Newcastle United at Stadium of Light on January 06, 2024 in Sunderland, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)