Dan Burn suffers a punctured lung and damaged rib as Newcastle’s damage disaster worsens after defeat in opposition to bitter rivals Sunderland – leaving Eddie Howe with simply FOUR senior defenders

Dan Burn has suffered a punctured lung and broken rib and will be sidelined for up to six weeks, leaving Newcastle with just four senior defenders.

The England centre-back was forced off just before half-time during Sunday’s 1-0 defeat in the Wear-Tyne derby following a nasty collision with Nordi Mukiele. 

The Sunderland right back was booked after sliding into his opponent’s midriff with his knee.

Burn, who was in obvious discomfort, tried to carry on before being replaced in the 42nd minute. 

He told medical staff during the interval that he was struggling to breathe and was immediately taken to hospital for tests.

And Daily Mail Sport can reveal that a punctured lung and cracked rib means Eddie Howe will be without his vice-captain for the entirety of the festive period and most of January – and that could be as many as 10 matches. 

Dan Burn has suffered a punctured lung and broken rib and could be out for up to six weeks

The defender was forced off in the first half of Newcastle’s 1-0 derby defeat by Sunderland

There is still hope that specialist treatment can speed up his recovery.

However, Burn’s loss is a huge blow at a time when fellow defenders Sven Botman, Kieran Trippier, Jamaal Lascelles and Emil Krafth are also injured. 

It leaves Howe with a back four of Tino Livramento, Fabian Schar, Malick Thiaw and Lewis Hall ahead of a Christmas run that includes four games in less than a fortnight, starting with Wednesday’s visit of Fulham in the Carabao Cup quarter-final.

Republic of Ireland Under-21 international Alex Murphy is another option in defence and winger Jacob Murphy can be used at full back, but the intensity of the fixtures leaves others exposed to fatigue and injury, especially as Livramento and Hall have not long returned from lay-offs.