Elliot Anderson's sensational form for Bristol Rovers has caught the eye of the FA, with coaches in the England youth set-up considering calling the 19-year-old, according to the Daily Mail.
Anderson has been a driving force behind Rovers' promotion push in 2022 after arriving in north Bristol on January deadline day. The teenager has scored three goals with two assists in 13 games.
He will be absent from the Gas squad for this Saturday's League Two clash at Carlisle United having been included in the Scotland U21 for European Championship qualifiers against Turkey and Kazakhstan, but Anderson is yet to be capped at that level.
Born in Whitley Bay, he qualifies for Scotland through a grandmother, but has also been capped by England U19s and can revert back to the Three Lions under FIFA's eligibility laws, which were revised in 2020 to permit one change of allegiance.
Anderson will finish the season in blue and white quarters but his future beyond that remains of significant intrigue with a number of Championship clubs having scouted him during his time with Rovers, while Newcastle could make him part of their first-team squad.
Manager Eddie Howe has previously spoken of his regret that the Magpies couldn't secure a Championship loan for the 19-year-old but admits he will be "reviewed" this summer in terms of whether to send him out on a temporary basis again or retain him in the north east.
"I'm so pleased for him," said Howe. “When we came in, we could see he's a player of undoubted quality, and I'd heard a lot of good things before working with him.
"Great attitude, stayed behind every day to work on certain aspects of his games, and was aware he needed to go out and play. We wanted that for him, and delighted he's doing so well. It's not a surprise for me. I think he can play a lot higher than League Two, but he’s taken his opportunity.”
Speaking to the Mail, former Newcastle chief scout Graham Carr believes Anderson is ready for top-flight football now, such is his level of talent and mature application. Carr serves on the board at Northampton Town who Rovers beat 1-0 last Saturday to move into fourth in League Two.
"They will spend millions on new players and a lot of academy lads will get lost in the system now - but not this boy," Carr said. "You can go out and sign as many young players as you want, you will be doing well to get any better than Elliot Anderson.
"This loan move looks like it has done him the world of good. He could get Bristol promoted this year. But it’s a waste of time sending him out again. He will be bordering on the first-team next season, and he should definitely be part of the squad.
"He is classy. He receives the ball like Peter Beardsley. He kills it and moves it all in one motion. That is a gift. He stood out like a sore thumb on Saturday, miles above anyone else. He looks out of place. I got in the car afterwards and started ringing people to talk about him."
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