Championship clubs interested in ace Anderson
RISING star Elliot Anderson is already subject of interest from Championship clubs desperate to take him on loan next season, says Eddie Howe.
The Newcastle youngster has dazzled scouts since joining League Two side Bristol Rovers on loan and there are expectations he will continue his footballing education higher up the pyramid next season.
The 19-year-old has made the most of his time away from Tyneside a year on from having a move to Luton snuffed out by Steve Bruce due to an injury crisis at United.
Rovers boss Joey Barton, formerly of Newcastle, even compared the Scotland Under-19 international to Diego Maradona last month.
Meanwhile, United head coach Howe said: “He’s a very, very talented player, also with a great mindset. “Elliot’s one of those people that you can see he’s very driven, very focused, wants to do well, wants to achieve.
“He’s got a slight edge to his game as well, where nothing will stand in his way to help him get on and progress.
“That’s why I felt the loan period was so important for him. “I felt if couldn’t give him those opportunities, he needed to go out and consolidate his really good training work, and I think he’s done that.”
With Rovers pushing for a place in
League One, the Magpies have not ruled out Anderson returning to the Memorial Stadium next season.
Howe added: “I have said before we wanted to try to get him slightly higher up the pyramid because I felt his talents deserved that, but I felt the most important thing was for him to actually play and Bristol Rovers have been very good.”
The former Bournemouth boss said he believes the jump from youth football to the Premier League is ‘probably one of the hardest transitions you have to make’ and re-emphasised just how valuable time at a club lower down the league system is for young players.
“It’s very, very difficult,” he said of progressing into the first team. “That’s why the loan system is so important, so if I can’t guarantee him that game time, then definitely a loan spell will be an option again.”
He added of Championship interest: “I think there will be, and I was disappointed for him that he didn’t get that opportunity at the higher level.
“That’s no disrespect to Bristol Rovers because I think Joey and Kevin Bond have been really good for him and allowed him to flourish and to sow how good he is.”