‘Very impressive debut’ - BBC pundit hails Dan Burn’s Newcastle bow

Newcastle United's Welsh defender Paul Dummett (L), Newcastle United's English defender Dan Burn (2nd L), Newcastle United's Slovakian goalkeeper Martin Dubravka (2nd R) and Newcastle United's Swiss defender Fabian Schar (R) celebrate on the pitch after the English Premier League football match between Newcastle United and Aston Villa at St James' Park in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, north east England on February 13, 2022.

BBC Sport pundit Garth Crooks has described Dan Burn’s performance on his Newcastle United debut as “very impressive”.

The former Brighton defender returned to Tyneside in a £13million on the final day of the January transfer window and was an unused substitute in last week’s 3-1 home win against Everton.

But Burn finally made his St James Park bow on Sunday as he put in a display full of control, discipline and power to help his side to a narrow 1-0 win against Aston Villa.

The likes of Magpies legend Alan Shearer and former Manchester United and England defender Gary Neville have already lauded Burn’s maiden appearance for his boyhood club - and Crooks added his name to a growing list of admirers.

After naming the United defender in his BBC Sport Team of the Week, the former Spurs and Stoke City forward 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.”