Chris Waugh has claimed on the latest episode of Pod on the Tyne that Elliot Anderson is now pushing for a starting role within the Newcastle United side.
The Toon youngster was admired by several EFL clubs this summer, and a move this summer would have been his second successive loan spell away from the Magpies, however, he impressed so much in pre-season that Eddie Howe is now keeping the midfielder around for at least the first half of the campaign.
Anderson is yet to start a Premier League game for Newcastle, although he did pick up the highest player rating from their Carabao Cup victory against Tranmere Rovers and hit the bar late on during a cameo appearance against Wolves on Sunday.
Following those performances, Waugh believes Anderson is now certainly pushing for a start under Howe.
He said: “They have Elliot Anderson who came on and did very well, and actually, I think is probably pushing towards a starting place, he did that well when he came on again [against Wolves] and having performed well at Tranmere.”
Should Anderson start vs Liverpool?
Yes!
No!
TIF Thoughts on Anderson’s situation at Newcastle…
When Howe confirmed that Anderson would be staying with Newcastle, the midfielder and many fans may have expected him to have been given more minutes than just the seven he got against Wolves last weekend.
However, given he’s impressed a lot in the last week, players such as Joe Willock and Sean Longstaff may well be looking over their shoulders and worrying about their starting role, especially in the next few games with the fixture schedule getting congested.
Anderson did only get a cameo role on Sunday, but he made a big impact, managing to achieve an 80% pass accuracy, record 14 touches, win all of his aerial duels and successfully took on an opponent, highlighting he certainly is ready for this level.