Newcastle United captain Dan Burn has been called up to the England squad for the upcoming UEFA Nations League matches against Spain and Croatia, replacing the injured Marc Guehi.
The Blyth-born centre-half had originally been left out of Thomas Tuchel's plans but has now been added after Manchester City defender Guehi was forced to withdraw.
Burn returns from injury
Burn recently returned from an ankle injury that kept him out of England's opening four Nations League matches in September and October. Tuchel had previously namechecked the 34-year-old as a player they would miss during that extended international camp.
The defender has started each of Newcastle's last four matches in all competitions since his return to action this month. His inclusion means Matthias Jaissle, who had been planning to work with Burn and fellow defenders Fabian Schar, Sven Botman and Tino Livramento during the international break, has had to change those plans.
FA confirms squad change
A Football Association statement said: "Dan Burn has been added to the England squad following the withdrawal of Marc Guehi through injury."
The statement added: "The Newcastle United defender, who has eleven caps, joined up with the rest of Thomas Tuchel’s group at Tottenham Hotspur’s training ground on Monday. Guehi was substituted at half-time of Manchester City’s fixture at Nottingham Forest on Saturday and will now remain with his club."
Burn has been a key figure in Tuchel's first 18 months in charge, earning 11 caps and becoming a cult hero during England's run to the World Cup semi-finals. He impressed with cameos from the bench in the last 16 win over Mexico at the Azteca Stadium and the quarter-final win over Norway in Miami.
England's Nations League fixtures
Burn will join Newcastle left-back Lewis Hall, who excelled across his three appearances for his country in the last international break.
England host Croatia at Wembley Stadium on Thursday, November 12, before rounding off their Nations League group campaign with a trip to Madrid on Sunday, November 15, to face world champions Spain. Tuchel's side need just a point across those two games to guarantee their place in the Nations League quarter-finals in March.
