Newcastle United head coach Eddie Howe believes Elliot Anderson’s Bristol Rovers loan has helped turn the midfielder into a more all-round performer as the teenager continues to impress in pre-season for the Magpies.
Anderson started and played 60 minutes for the Premier League side in their 3-0 win over 1860 Munich on Friday as Howe continues to assess his development and suitability for the coming season.
Rovers would dearly love to take the 19-year-old back on loan, following his outstanding spell at the back end of the 2021/22 campaign, but the Gas could be victims of their own success in this case, with his time in north Bristol helping accelerate his progress to the Newcastle first-team.
Anderson certainly didn’t look out of place alongside Joe Willock and Jonjo Shelvey in the Magpies midfield, and Howe noted his work off the ball is really standing out. Props therefore go to Rovers strength and conditioning coach Tom Short, as well as Joey Barton, but it’s those sort of qualities that will help convince Howe he’s worth keeping in the building for next season, far more than his ability on the ball, which is already well known.
“I think that's probably been the biggest development,” Howe told the Newcastle Chronicle. “He looks like he has the ability now to go box to box, to compete not just in possession, but out of possession with duels. I thought he pressed well during the first half. I think we've seen a real growth in his endurance levels."
Howe is yet to make a decision on Anderson and wants to see more of him in pre-season as Newcastle have games against Mainz, Benfica, Atalanta and Athletic Bilbao.
Rovers are very much in the mix - and a cursory glance of the Newcastle fanbase indicates that is their preferential destination - but the Gas have competition across the Championship from West Brom, Luton Town, Millwall, plus League One rivals Sheffield Wednesday, and potentially could provide the best opportunity for sustained first-team minutes.
But what could count against them, and all the other teams keen to bring him in, is the fact that as an academy player, Anderson doesn’t take up a place in the 25-man squad. And if he continues to impress over these next 2-3 weeks, Howe may consider him an option worth keeping, that doesn’t impact the availability of a more senior player.
However, he fundamentally needs game time outside of Under-23s football. Something which could be further influenced in the transfer market should Newcastle recruit in midfield.
"He's come back with a real enthusiasm and desire to do well, and show us how much he's progressed since his loan spell,” Howe added. “I thought he was probably the biggest bright spark we had during that first half, which was a difficult one for us. I've been really impressed by him.
‘"He's quite quiet within the group, but is a very steely, determined lad who wants to do well. We really like him."
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