Dan Burn one of Dream Team’s most in-form defenders having banked 48 points in six Gameweeks

HERE at Dream Team headquarters it’s our duty to flag up thriving players who may be flying under the radar.

Dan Burn (£3.3m) very much fits that description.

The gigantic defender, who features in just 3.5% of teams, has produced 48 points across the last six Gameweeks with another fixture to come before the current Gameweek is complete.

Newcastle’s No33 notched 15 points against Fulham on Saturday, his joint-best haul of the season, via a clean sheet, goal and five tackles.

He was on hand to slam home from point-blank range just after the hour-mark to give the Magpies a comfortable lead, which they maintained until the final whistle to book their place in the FA Cup fifth round.

Add in an assist against Manchester City plus a clean sheet against rivals Sunderland and Burn has pocketed 26 points across his last three outings, making him statistically among the most in-form players in his position.

Highest points-per-game average among defender (last three appearances):

• Pedro Porro – 11.7
• Matty Cash – 9
• Dan Burn – 8.7
• Alex Moreno – 8.7
• Nelson Semedo 8.7

Burn seems to particularly enjoy playing against Marco Silva’s side as he started his current prosperous run with a 15-point haul against Fulham back in Gameweek 16, also via a goal and clean sheet.

Eddie Howe’s men have suffered a dip in form of late, losing four consecutive Premier League fixtures, albeit with the two most recent defeats coming against strong opposition in the form of Liverpool and Manchester City.

However, the first-choice defence of Kieran Trippier (£4.8m), Sven Botman (£3.5m), Fabian Schar (£3.2m) and Burn are all available again ahead of a more favourable run of fixtures.

Newcastle host Luton in Gameweek 22 before meetings with Nottingham Forest and Bournemouth.

Additionally, Burn is likely to feature in his side’s upcoming FA Cup game against the winner of tonight’s match between Blackburn and Wrexham.

Trippier remains the premium option among Newcastle’s defenders having registered 171 points so far this season – only Trent Alexander-Arnold (£5.7m) has more to his name at the time of writing.

The problem for many Dream Team bosses is that the England international comes at a significant cost – he’s a full £1.5m more expensive than Burn right now.