Newcastle United are mulling their options while taking a closer look at Elliot Anderson this summer, with West Bromwich Albion and Stoke City among the clubs rivalling Bristol Rovers for a loan move.
The Athletic reports the Gas are one of five clubs to enquire about the 19-year-old – a star of last season's promotion to League One – this summer. Luton Town and Sheffield Wednesday have also registered an interest, while reports elsewhere last month mooted Millwall as a possible suitor.
The Scotland under-21 international is a rising star on Tyneside after scoring seven goals and six assists in 20 starts for the Gas on loan in the second half of last season. The teenager was an inspiration after joining at the eleventh hour on deadline day and his contributions over such a short space of time have cemented his place in Rovers folklore, with his goal on the final day of the season clinching promotion.
But Gasheads still dream of one last dance with the boy they call Billy, and the report suggests that is not out of the question. It is thought Newcastle will not automatically select a Championship club over a third-tier side should they decide to loan Anderson out again.
Instead, the focus will be finding the right fit, both in terms of style of play and coaching, and the Gas have an allure in that regard. Barton is known closely by key decision-makers at St James' Park including loan manager Shola Ameobi and academy boss Steve Harper, and with Anderson certainly the kind of player Rovers would build around, the Gas are something of a known quantity compared to the other options believed to be on the table.
Still, there are several obstacles that would need to be overcome before a Rovers return becomes realistic. Firstly, Anderson's audition in front of Eddie Howe is underway and he could play in a behind-closed-doors game against Gateshead at the weekend. Next week, Anderson could be part of the Magpies squad that travels to Austria for a pre-season tour.
Despite Newcastle's Saudi millions, Anderson has a genuine opportunity of forcing his way into the first-team reckoning at his parent club with new sporting director Dan Ashworth eager to develop from within in addition to spending big. The form and ability the Geordie showed in his time in the blue and white quarters suggest he has a chance of breaking into Eddie Howe's Premier League plans this summer.
In the coming days and weeks, Newcastle are set to make that decision, although reportedly they are leaning towards a loan. If it comes to that, Rovers could not have made a better case, but that still may not be enough if a Championship club meets the criteria Newcastle are looking for.
West Brom have the allure of a Championship promotion challenge and Steve Bruce was the manager who gave Anderson his first-team debut at Newcastle. Luton, meanwhile, have tracked the player for more than a year and have a reputation for developing young players.
Stoke and Millwall, too, will have hopes of being in the battle for the top six in the second tier, so a return to BS7 remains unlikely, and it would be an incredible coup if Rovers pulled it off.
