Newcastle's injury problems have deepened after Dan Burn was rushed to hospital following Saturday's Tyne-Wear derby loss. The England international was substituted just before half-time following a sliding clash with Sunderland defender Nordi Mukiele.

However, worries intensified when Magpies boss Eddie Howe confirmed his player was "struggling to breathe" at half-time. It has now been reported that Burn is suspected of having a fractured rib and a punctured lung, which could mean a lengthy period out of action, potentially up to six weeks.

Burn spent the night in hospital after being rushed off in an ambulance, but is now said to be under the care of the club's medical team.

Burn, 33, instantly winced after a hefty challenge from Mukiele, whose lower body collided with his opponent's torso. The defender was treated on the pitch before being replaced by Fabian Schar.

"He was struggling to breathe at half-time. It was a big problem," Howe said. "Dan Burn has gone to the hospital for a check of his ribs, so hopefully he will be OK."

Howe's defensive options have been severely depleted, with Burn joining an increasing list of absentees in defence. Sven Botman and Kieran Trippier were already out of action along with Emil Krafth, while Jamaal Laschells and Harrison Ashby have been grappling with fitness issues.

This leaves Schar, Tino Livramento, Lewis Hall and Malick Thiaw as Howe's four senior defensive options. Republic of Ireland under-21 international Alex Murphy has also emerged as a first-team choice this season, while Jacob Murphy has previously stepped in as a wing-back.

The situation is even more worrying for the club, given that young full-backs Hall and Livramento have suffered injuries since joining.

Burn has become a popular figure among fans at St James' Park in recent years and earned his first England caps this year. However, 2025 seems set to end on a sombre note for the Blyth-born star.

It speaks volumes about the player that he continued to play despite clearly being in pain after his clash with Mukiele, who didn't hold back from celebrating post-match. The tackle sparked outrage from the Newcastle supporters, resulting in Mukiele receiving a booking.

However, Sunderland had the final say in what was the first Tyne-Wear derby played in the Premier League since 2016. The Black Cats' descent through the English Football League since then meant this fixture has been a rarity over the past decade.

The timing of Burn's injury is far from ideal, given Newcastle's busy winter schedule. They are set to face Fulham in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday, followed by a demanding run of six matches in just three weeks.