Newcastle United have handed reported Bristol City and Bristol Rovers transfer target Elliot Anderson a chance to shine in tonight’s Carabao Cup second round tie.

The Scotland Under-21 international has attracted interest from a whole host of Championship and League One clubs since he returned to Tyneside following a highly successful loan spell with Rovers last season.

After moving to the Memorial Stadium in a half-season loan in the final hours of the January transfer window, Anderson scored eight goals and produced five assists in 21 appearances for Joey Barton’s side.

The 19-year-old midfielder wrote his name into club folklore when he scored the crucial seventh goal in the 7-0 win over Scunthorpe United as Rovers clinched a dramatic promotion into League One on the final day of the season.

Anderson featured for Newcastle in pre-season fixtures against the likes of 1860 Munich, Benfica and Atalanta - but has been an unused substitute in all three of the Magpies opening Premier League fixtures.

With City and Rovers said to be keen on a loan deal, Magpies manager Eddie Howe discussed the youngster’s future in the buildup to their visit to Tranmere and hinted he would be handed a first competitive start at Prenton Park.

“Yeah, he’s definitely a contender to start tomorrow,” Howe admitted.

“As I’ve said, everything that I’ve seen from him day to day has been very impressive.

“In terms of the future, I don’t see a way that he would leave at this moment.

“The transfer windows are ever-changing things, so I wouldn’t give you a definite, because I wouldn’t want to say something that isn’t accurate, but I’m really excited to see him play.

“I think he’s a player that’s really grown, as I’ve said, from his loan period away, and I’d say his game’s in a very good place.”

Anderson was confirmed in the Magpies starting eleven for the game as he gets a chance to impress the United manager.

Premier League manager gives hint on future of Bristol City and Bristol Rovers transfer target