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Newcastle United captain Dan Burn was forced to cancel a spa night with his wife after receiving a late call-up to the England squad.
The Blyth-born centre-back was initially left out of Thomas Tuchel’s 25-man squad for their UEFA Nations League matches against Croatia and Spain, but an injury to Marc Guehi during Manchester City’s 3-1 defeat at Nottingham Forest last Saturday saw Burn earn a late call.
Not only was Burn drafted into the squad, but he was also named in the starting XI, playing the full 90 minutes as the Three Lions beat Croatia 2-1 at Wembley on Thursday night to secure their place in the quarter-finals of the UEFA Nations League.
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It was the 34-year-old’s 11th cap for his country - one he admitted was worth missing a spa night for!
“When the manager said that I wasn't getting called up, I said if he ever needed me or needed me to do anything, just to call me,” Burn said. “I wasn't probably expecting a call the next day!
“I had a spa night with the wife planned on the Monday, so she was a little bit disappointed. But there's plenty of time for that in the future.”
Burn was part of England’s World Cup squad and achieved cult hero status after coming off the bench to help see out their 3-2 victory in Mexico in the quarter-finals.
The Newcastle defender missed England’s first squad selection after the tournament due to an ankle injury and, having been given another opportunity this time around, he is determined to make the most of it.
“I love playing for England,” Burn continued. “I waited such a long time before I got the opportunity to do it. I just try to make the most of every camp that I'm here in, and try and make sure that the manager doesn't say that to us again.”
England sit second in their UEFA Nations League group but will finish top if they beat world champions Spain in Madrid on Sunday. Doing so would, in theory, mean they get an easier draw when the knockout stages come around in March.