'First of all, not professional' - Dan Burn reveals hilarious phone call with Thomas Tuchel over late bedtime after linking up with England squad

Burn is a surprise inclusion in Tuchel's first England squad, with the Newcastle hero getting his first international call-up at the grand old age of 32. The veteran defender will now be hoping to win his first cap in March's World Cup qualifiers against Albania and Latvia. Tuchel has already explained his reasons for calling up Burn, praising his leadership skills and also admitting he was impressed when the two spoke on the phone.

Burn is enjoying a memorable week after scoring in Newcastle's Carabao Cup win over Liverpool on Sunday to end the club's 70-year trophy drought. He's now in line to follow that up with an England debut and, ahead of Friday's match against Albania at Wembley, has revealed how Tuchel broken the news that he would be in his Three Lions squad.

He told reporters: "I'd definitely say I've had worse weeks. The manager Facetimed us on Tuesday, he said they were debating whether they were calling us up. Six o'clock, Thursday night, I had not heard anything then I got a text at 10 pm. I got a Facetime call and I did struggle to sleep. He said, 'first of all, not professional being in bed for 10 pm'. So, I apologised for that! Then he said he has been ringing everyone that had not made the squad. He said he needed to end the day on a good note."

Burn also warned that he's not in the squad just to make up the numbers and is eager to play and secure a place at World Cup 2026. He added: "He [Tuchel] said I've been playing well for a long time. I'm not just coming in to be a cheerleader. I want to play. I'm trying to take it camp by camp and make a big impression as I can and try make the next camp. Every little kid's dream is to play in a World Cup. To know I have got that opportunity, if I take it, is special."

Tuchel's teamsheet will make for interesting reading on Friday when the German coach picks his XI for his first game in charge. The Three Lions then go on to play Latvia at Wembley on Monday night.