Bristol Rovers poised to sign highly rated Newcastle United midfielder Elliot Anderson on loan

Bristol Rovers are in pole position to sign Elliot Anderson on a loan deal from Newcastle United until the end of the season.

The Gas have been on the search for a midfielder all day and have explored various targets but look to have finally found a player after other deals stalled.

They have decided to pursue Anderson from big-spending Newcastle, who are happy to let one of their players leave on a temporary basis for vital first-team minutes.

Anderson has two senior appearances for the Magpies, playing twice against Arsenal in the FA Cup and in the Premier League.

The 19-year-old was being looked at by Luton Town and a deal was in place earlier this month but that proposed move to Kennilworth Road failed to materialise.

Fleetwood Town and Northampton were also interested but it looks to be Rovers who have won the race and will be happy to have another midfielder in their ranks.

Anderson is an attacking midfielder and plays the same role as Antony Evans, a player that Barton wanted to find a like-for-like back-up option in.

The Scotland Under-21 international has this season played seven times for Newcastle’s Under-23’s team and returned five goals, equaling last seasons return despite playing two fewer games.

Since bursting on to the scene at Under-18 level in 2018, Anderson has bagged 23 goals and earned eight assists in just over 50 games, captaining the Toon in EFL Trophy games.

Craig Hope, the North-East football correspondent for the Daily Mail said that Newcastle entrust Barton with Anderson's development.

Barton played for Newcastle United for four years and has drawn on a favour from one of his former teams who will hope a young player will develop under his stewardship.

The Rovers boss played alongside Steve Harper and loan manager Shola Ameobi during his time at St James Park and has used his relationship there to bring in a player in a desired area.

As well as Rovers signing Anderson from Newcastle, they are also allowing Matty Longstaff to join Mansfield Town until the end of the season in what is a major signing by the Stags.

The 21-year-old made his Premier League debut in 2019, scoring the match winning goal against Manchester United. He was earlier this season loaned out to Aberdeen but was recalled after featuring just five times for the Scottish Premiership side.