Eddie Howe has confirmed Newcastle United will take a close look at Elliot Anderson in pre-season after the teenager played a starring role in Bristol Rovers' promotion.
Anderson was a transformative influence on Rovers' season, scoring seven goals and adding six assists in 20 starts since joining on loan from the Magpies on January deadline day. The 19-year-old is the talk of the EFL, with a horde of clubs interested in taking him on loan next season, and his scintillating form has not gone unnoticed at St James' Park.
Newcastle boss Eddie Howe has faced plenty of questions in recent weeks and months about Tyneside's homegrown hope, offering high praise for the playmaker's impact in the blue and white quarters, and now his loan spell is up the Toon manager is eager to get to work with Anderson this summer.
Howe confirmed Anderson will have the chance to force his way into the first-team picture, telling the Newcastle Chronicle: "We'll certainly bring him back in pre-season and have a close look at him. He will be involved in the pre-season games and we will make a decision then whether he needs another loan or if he will stay with us.
"We're very pleased for him. He was desperate to go and play and have that experience. I've said many times we didn't necessarily want to pitch him into League Two, we felt he was better than that level, but due to one reason or another that's the level he ended up at.
"But he's excelled. It's very difficult as a young player to go out as a young player and really make a difference, but he's not just done that, he made an incredible difference to Bristol Rovers.
"It was a dramatic final day and full credit to Joey and his team, and to Elliot. What an experience for him, certainly one he'll remember for sure and I'm sure he'll look back very fondly, hopefully at the end of a very successful career."
Rovers and their manager, Joey Barton, meanwhile, would love to have Anderson back in BS7 next season as the Gas prepare for the step up to League One, but they are wholly realistic about their slim chances of signing him.
Anderson is unable to feature in Newcastle's final two games despite his Rovers loan ending due to league rules.
However, he could well do enough to earn a role in Howe's plans for the Premier League next season, but if his parent club do choose to loan him again a Championship move would be preferred.
That's not to say Rovers do not have some factors in their favour. Barton did a brilliant job in enabling Anderson's success, with young players afforded chances at Rovers, and the Geordie would be guaranteed a place at the forefront of the Pirates' plans. There is a scenario where he could return, albeit an unlikely one.
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