NEWCASTLE are confident of landing Arsenal’s Kieran Tierney with Eddie Howe on the lookout for a new left-back.
The Magpies manager fiercely defended Dan Burn who has come in for stinging criticism from fans.
Kieran Tierney has struggled for game time at Arsenal
Natural centre-back Burn, 30, has kept full-back Matt Targett out of the side but has struggled in recent weeks.
Howe wants an upgrade with more attacking threat and Tierney tops the list.
The injury-plagued Scot, 25, is behind Oleksandr Zinchenko in the Gunners’ pecking order but would still cost £30million-plus.
Sources close to Tierney believe a summer Tyneside move is increasingly likely.
That could spell bad news for Targett, though the ex-Aston Villa man is pushing to start against Tottenham on Sunday — given Burn’s poor form.
Yet Howe was quick to praise the 6ft 7in Geordie, saying: “I’m surprised if Dan’s getting criticised because that’s a severe underestimation of what he brings to the team.
“He has been incredible. We didn’t plan the season with him at left-back — it happened through injuries and he got an opportunity.
“He’s a slightly unusual presence there but his attitude and application have been the highest level.
“Sometimes you can’t measure what he gives.
“We value Dan very highly in whatever position he plays and his versatility is important as well.”
Howe has big calls to make after Toon’s 3-0 loss at Aston Villa last weekend.
Although Newcastle still have the Prem’s tightest defence, conceding just 24 goals in 30 games.
Barring the Villa capitulation, Kieran Trippier, Fabian Schar, Sven Botman and Burn have been a rock in front of Toon keeper Nick Pope.
Howe added: “I’ve no problem changing it but I don’t want to make wholesale changes and lose the balance and solidity of a settled back four.
“You have to believe it’s the right moment to make a change.
“This back four has been outstanding. Does one bad day constitute a change? I’ve got to make that call.”
Dan Burn has come in for criticism
