Nordi Mukiele of Sunderland receives a yellow card after fouling Newcastle United's Dan Burn (Image: Getty Images)

Newcastle United star Dan Burn was hospitalised after suffering a horror blow in the first half of the 1-0 loss to Sunderland .

Nordi Mukiele's crunch challenge resulted in Burn being forced off at the Stadium of the Light with the defender now a doubt for the Carabao Cup quarter-final against Fulham. Newcastle are now down to the bare bones defensively with Sven Botman and Kieran Trippier already out.

Howe said: "He was struggling to breath at half-time. It was a big problem.

"Dan Burn has gone to the hospital for a check of his ribs, so hopefully he will be OK."

When reflecting on the defeat on Wearside, Howe, who cut a glum figure in his Press conference, Howe said

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