DAN BURN claims Newcastle’s golden oldies are not ready to be pensioned off just yet.
Eddie Howe faces a huge rebuilding job after their disappointing Premier League campaign.
Kieran Trippier, 35, is leaving once his deal expires in June while fellow defender Fabian Schar, 34, is also out of contract.
A host of other veterans have also been left out over recent weeks, raising doubts over their futures in Black and White.
Following five-straight defeats, Howe turned to his trusted old guard, benching £219m worth of summer signings, to fire them to victory over Brighton in front of visiting Saudi PIF chief Yasir Al-Rumayyan.
Goalie Nick Pope, 34, produced a great early save before 31-year-old winger Jacob Murphy’s quick-thinking set-up the opener.
howe bout it
Inside Howe’s crunch talks with Saudi chiefs as Newcastle boss demands answers
SWIFTY
Win a Swift Trekker and a Volvo or £90k cash from just 34p with our code
Giant Geordie Burn, 34 on Saturday, scored the second against his old team before Harvey Barnes, now in his third season with the Mags, came on late to wrap up the points.
All four have been trusted lieutenants for Howe over the years. And Burn reckons they all still have a lot more to give, no matter what new signings come in.
He said: “Yeah, of course! There’s lads that have been here for a number of years and they’re proven players that can do the job that the manager asks.
“It’s only natural that you bring in new players to try to elevate the current squad and push on. The club’s speaking about wanting to win the league, so that’s only natural that’s going to happen. But it’s nice to see that the lads here are still showing that they want to be part of that and can keep pushing the new lads on.”
BEST ONLINE CASINOS – TOP SITES IN THE UK
Howe said: “I went with players that I can really trust, that I know can handle this kind of atmosphere and this kind of pressure. Those players have never let me down and they didn’t today.”
Burn helped Newcastle qualify for the Champions League (twice) and lift the Carabao Cup since signing for Howe in January 2022.
Despite this season’s top-flight struggles, having reached the Champions League last-16 for the first time, Burn reckons this term could still be deemed a success if they can beat Nottingham Forest, West Ham and Fulham.
He added: “If we can get a European place now, then definitely it’s been a sort of successful season. But it’s all talk at the moment; it’s about if we can back that up.
“I want to see a bit of consistency going into the last three games. They’re winnable. Tough games, because the teams are fighting down the bottom — but if we want to be where we want to be then we should be picking up results.”
One man who will be staying at St. James’ Park is Osula after the 22-year-old Danish forward’s third goal in four games.
Howe said: “I’d definitely like to keep him. Will’s a player of really rich promise.
“He’s very hungry, he’s very motivated, he believes in himself. He’s got a really bright future.”
Brighton’s own European hopes were dented with boss Fabian Hurzeler sweating on the extent of Mats Wieffer’s first half ankle injury ahead of Saturday’s clash with relegated Wolves.
The Seagulls chief also spoke of his “huge respect” for Howe – after being asked if he refused to shake hands with the Toon No2 Jason Tindall.
He said: “It’s just an emotional game and some things beside the pitch shouldn’t happen. No I didn’t refuse him. I shook hands with the head coach.
“I showed a lot of respect for Eddie Howe because he is doing a great job here and for such a long time. Huge respect for him and what he is doing.”