Newcastle United star nearing injury comeback - could be on the bench v AC Milan

Dan Burn is set to become the latest Newcastle United player to make his return from injury.

The Magpies have been without the Blyth-born defender for the last five weeks after he sustained a back injury during the 1-0 win over Arsenal on November 4. United head coach Eddie Howe anticipated Burn would be out for a "couple of months" but the 31-year-old is nearing a comeback ahead of schedule.

Injuries have decimated Newcastle's squad in recent months but their situation has eased slightly in the last few days after Callum Wilson and Sean Longstaff made their respective returns as 65th-minute substitutes in Sunday's 4-1 defeat to Tottenham Hotspur.

And Burn is likely to be next off the cab rank. NewcastleWorld understands he could make the bench for Wednesday night's crunch Champions League clash at home to AC Milan.

“He’s been gigantic for us since he signed for lots of different reasons," Howe said last month. "His character, determination to win, experience and versatility as well. It’s not just one position we’re losing, we’re losing his ability to play centre-back. It’s something we have to roll with.”

Howe has named the same outfield 10 for five consecutive matches. They beat Chelsea and Manchester United at St James' Park and drew 1-1 in Paris Saint-Germain but there were major signs of mental fatigue last week after falling to back-to-back away defeats to Everton and Spurs - four days apart.

The return of Wilson, Longstaff and Burn is a step in the right direction as Howe looks to get more players back that can help take the heavy workload off the current crop of starters.

“I want to make changes that benefit the team," Howe said after the loss to Spurs. "Everyone that I picked today wanted to play and felt able to play, no issues. Of course, I understand the backlog of fatigue that can build b ut we don't have an abundance of options so I don't know.

"Of course, we have a couple of senior professionals but it's difficult to make changes to a team that has performed so well - we beat Arsenal, we beat Chelsea, we beat Manchester United and that was only two games ago.” 

In terms of Newcastle's absentee list, it's understood Sven Botman is nearing a comeback, however, Howe played down talk that Harvey Barnes is close.

Harvey Barnes is on track to return before the New Year with Jacob Murphy and Elliot Anderson expected to follow not long after.