Newcastle youngster, Elliott Anderson, will not be allowed to leave on loan this January, Eddie Howe has confirmed. The 20-year-old local lad has made the breakthrough to the first-team squad this season, and recent reports that he may be heading out on loan again have been quashed by the Toon boss.
Anderson enjoyed a hugely successful loan spell at Bristol Rovers last season, where, under the tutelage of former Magpies star Joey Barton, he made 21 appearances and registered 8 goals as The Gas achieved promotion from League 2.
Those performances convinced Howe to keep the young midfielder at the club for this season, and Anderson has repaid that faith with some impressive performances in his 8 appearances to date. Despite suffering from niggling injuries of late, Anderson is very much in the thoughts of his manager and will have a role to play in the second half of the season for the high-flying Magpies.
Speaking before Saturday’s FA Cup tie against Sheffield Wednesday, Howe said of Anderson:
“He’s valued by us. He’s had a number of niggles the last couple of months which has prevented him from being involved more.
“I’d like to say he’s back to his best condition. He’s got a valuable role to play for us between now and the rest of the season. I certainly won’t be loaning him anywhere.”
It is a slightly surprising decision by Howe to keep the youngster at the club instead of giving him the chance to gain more experience elsewhere, but the recent injury to Jonjo Shelvey has left the team low on numbers in the midfield area.
It had been thought that the Newcastle boss may dip into the transfer market for a new midfielder, but Anderson has shown glimpses that he can step up to the mark if needed. With the Toon embroiled in a battle for Champions League qualification, there would be a lot of pressure on one so young, but starring in Bristol Rovers’ promotion last season proved that the Whitley Bay native is mature beyond his years.