How did Newcastle’s Dan Burn lose a finger as defender wins Carabao Cup

Fans are now beginning to notice not just his 6ft 7in frame but also an unusual characteristic for a sportsman – he is missing one finger.

The Geordie is now playing for his local club but returned to Tyneside in 2022 having played at Fulham, Brighton and Wigan in the intervening years.

He has been able to forge a top-level career, despite not having had the ring finger on his right hand since the age of 13.

According to TalkSport, Burn was wearing a ring on the finger when it became caught on a spike and this led to it being gruesomely ripped off.

Until the age of 14, Burn had been a goalkeeper and was in Chelsea’s academy. But he changed positions following the accident and progressed through the ranks – starting at Darlington while he was completing his A-levels and washing his own kit aged 18.

He told the Sun: “Normally, the lads who are getting picked up to play in the youth teams are getting picked up around 15, 16. I didn’t end up signing for anyone.