Luton, PNE and Sheff Wed set to test Newcastle Utd’s resolve over Bristol Rovers loan hero

Newcastle United’s resolve over Elliot Anderson is set to be tested in the January transfer window. Three clubs are set to renew their interest in the 20-year-old who was last season on loan at Bristol Rovers.

A report from Chronicle Live says that Luton Town, Preston North End, and Sheffield Wednesday, are all keen on a loan deal for the Scotland Under-21 international. More than a dozen clubs wanted Anderson in the summer but Eddie Howe chose to keep the midfielder at St James Park. Preston are the newest club to be have been linked with him, and in the summer Bristol City, Hearts, Hibernian, West Brom, Millwall, and Huddersfield Town were said to be looking at him. Rovers had kept an eye on the situation and there was a desire to work with him again, but he was kept in the North East.

Newcastle’s stance on loaning Anderson is yet unclear. Eddie Howe’s side are performing above expectations and occupies a top-four spot at the moment. A move to Hillsborough would certainly strengthen a League One rival, given how well he performed for the Gas last season. Anderson had the chance to join Luton Town under Nathan Jones before joining Rovers, where he shined, scoring eight goals and getting five assists as he helped them win promotion from League Two.

Anderson has played eight times in the Premier League this season and has played ten matches in the current campaign. The Whitley Bay-born midfielder has racked up 259 minutes in total this season with 96 of those coming in the Premier League. The midfielder has not yet started a game in the English top-flight for Newcastle, and the most action he got was a 30-minute cameo appearance against Fulham in October.

He has had to contend with several niggling injuries, which has impacted his availability for Newcastle. In recent weeks he has been doing fitness work to ensure he is available. Anderson was amongst the substitutes earlier this week when the Magpies held league leaders Arsenal to a draw.