The Japan Times - Newcastle celebrations on hold for England new-boy Burn

Burn headed Newcastle's first-half opener in their stunning 2-1 win against Premier League leaders Liverpool in the League Cup final at Wembley on Sunday.

The 32-year-old's goal helped Newcastle finally end their 56-year trophy drought, setting off wild celebrations at Wembley and back home on Tyneside.

It was the culmination of a remarkable week for Burn, who had received his maiden call-up into the England squad on Friday.

As a boyhood Newcastle fan born just a few miles from the city, Burn could have been forgiven for wanting to make the most of the party that followed the Magpies' long-awaited success.

But the centre-back knew he was due to report for England duty on Monday morning.

So he wisely opted against joining the alcohol-fuelled partying to keep him fresh ahead of Thomas Tuchel's first game in charge of England in Friday's World Cup qualifier against Albania at Wembley.

"It was strange. As soon as I left the stadium on Sunday my focus completely switched to this," Burn said at England's training base on Tuesday.

"I had my family and the kids and we ended up getting on the bus about 12 o'clock back to the hotel.

"It was getting a bit rowdy and I was just ready to go to sleep. There will be time to celebrate. I know the club's put stuff out about there being a parade, so I think that's when I'll celebrate.

"But I've waited a long time for this opportunity and didn't want to spoil it."

- 'I've been doubted a lot' -

Burn, released by Newcastle's academy at the age of 11, has enjoyed a late rise to prominence after labouring in obscurity for much of his career.

Permanent and loan spells at unheralded lower league clubs including Darlington, Yeovil, Birmingham and Wigan were all valuable experiences for the giant defender, who eventually seized his chance at Brighton before joining Newcastle in 2022.

"It's probably made me very resilient," he said. "I don't think I've had a straight-line trajectory in my career -- I started really late and it's been very up and down."

He added: "I feel I've been doubted a lot over my career. I doubt many people who watched me play at Darlington would say that I'd be sat here doing a press conference for England."

Despite his impressive form for Eddie Howe's side, Burn felt his England chance had passed him by when he did not make it into Gareth Southgate's squad for Euro 2024.

"I think I have been overlooked, but I understood it," he said.

Now Burn has his sights on capping a fairytale spell by earning a place in England's 2026 World Cup squad.

"Once you've been passed over during so many international breaks, you sort of accept the time has passed, but luckily the new manager has taken a chance on me," he said.

"Obviously it's every kid's dream to play in a World Cup or even to play for your country, so to know I've got that opportunity, if I take it, it's special."

S.Yamada--JT