Newcastle United head coach Matthias Jaissle has indicated that Dan Burn is set to return directly to the starting line-up despite missing a month of pre-season. The defender, who cut short a holiday in Canada after the World Cup, is yet to feature in any warm-up matches but appears an obvious choice for a defence that has conceded nine goals in four friendlies, including games against Gateshead and Bristol City.
Burn's return and defensive issues
Sven Botman has struggled throughout the summer and made another error in the 3-1 defeat to Everton at Murrayfield. Burn could now partner Malick Thiaw in central defence against Liverpool.
Speaking to Chronicle Live, Jaissle said: "He doesn't become important; he is important already. He's also a national team player with a lot of experience, a leader."
"I just had a chat with him in his first training, so I'm happy that he's back."
Pre-season challenges
Jaissle admitted the team will not be at their peak when the Premier League season begins, as they rush to sign players and integrate World Cup stars still catching up on fitness. Jaissle himself has only worked with the squad for a week after taking over late in the summer following Eddie Howe's departure.
He said: "We cannot be at our peak [against Liverpool], this is clear. We have just been working for a couple of days together, and Liverpool is already next week now."
"We use every day in the best possible way, that’s the only thing we can control to make progress."
Transfer market activity
Jaissle also addressed the transfer market, saying: "Then, it will be the same with the transfer market. Hopefully, there will be progress there too."
