---
title: "Dan Burn Admits Newcastle Captaincy Does Not Guarantee Starting Role"
canonical: "https://readnewcastle.com/2026/10/16/dan-burn-newcastle-captain-fight-starting-spot-jaissle-aston-villa/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Lucie Turner"
section: "Newcastle United News"
published: "2026-10-16T10:35:55Z"
modified: "2026-10-16T10:46:04Z"
---

# Dan Burn Admits Newcastle Captaincy Does Not Guarantee Starting Role

Dan Burn has warned that he can no longer return to the starting XI of Matthias Jaissle’s Newcastle United simply by virtue of the armband, despite the strong desire of some fans to see him face Aston Villa.

The 34-year-old England international has missed the start of the season with an ankle injury and only featured on the bench in stoppage time in Monday’s chastening 4-1 defeat at Coventry City. With Sven Botman and Malick Thiaw firmly installed as Jaissle’s centre-back partnership, Burn knows he has a battle to stay in the team.

## **“I Will Have to Work Hard”**

Speaking with Chronicle Live on the prospect of making his first competitive start, Burn was as honest as ever: “With any luck. I have been pushing myself to get fit, so I am hoping that there will be an opportunity to make my first competitive start at some point. The players that have been playing have been doing really well, so I will have to fight to get back in.”

Jaissle has made it clear that he picks his side based on the information given to him by the medical staff and suggested that Burn is yet to be ready to start. Joelinton, meanwhile, is further along in his return to fitness and could be in line to feature sooner.

## **Dressing Room Influence Still Counts**

Despite his lack of minutes, Burn’s presence at the CBS Arena still had an impact. Jaissle, who has shaken up his coaching staff in the summer after the departure of Eddie Howe, places great store on his captain’s experience.

Burn provided an honest assessment after the Coventry debacle and was fully aware of why the travelling supporters booed at the final whistle.

“We don’t have time to dwell on it,” he said. “There are a lot of things we should have done better. But we will be looking to bounce back against Villa. I understand frustration from fans when they have travelled all that distance. We are trying to put it right starting against Villa.”

## **Villa Test Looms**

Newcastle host Aston Villa on Saturday, with Jaissle coming under increasing pressure. Unai Emery’s side are in fine form, having beaten Turkish side Fenerbahce 6-0 in the Champions League last night, with Nicolas Jackson scoring twice. Johan Manzambi marked his 21st birthday with a goal, and Ross Barkley added a penalty in the second half.

For Burn, who have struggled in recent weeks, it means that the armband does not guarantee the shirt. Spots must be earned, not handed.