Eddie Howe explains the impact Bristol Rovers have had on Newcastle United tyro Elliot Anderson

Newcastle United head coach Eddie Howe believes Elliot Anderson’s Bristol Rovers loan has helped turn the midfielder into a more all-round performer as the teenager continues to impress in pre-season for the Magpies.

Anderson started and played 60 minutes for the Premier League side in their 3-0 win over 1860 Munich on Friday as Howe continues to assess his development and suitability for the coming season.

Rovers would dearly love to take the 19-year-old back on loan, following his outstanding spell at the back end of the 2021/22 campaign, but the Gas could be victims of their own success in this case, with his time in north Bristol helping accelerate his progress to the Newcastle first-team.

Anderson certainly didn’t look out of place alongside Joe Willock and Jonjo Shelvey in the Magpies midfield, and Howe noted his work off the ball is really standing out. Props therefore go to Rovers strength and conditioning coach Tom Short, as well as Joey Barton, but it’s those sort of qualities that will help convince Howe he’s worth keeping in the building for next season, far more than his ability on the ball, which is already well known.

“I think that's probably been the biggest development,” Howe told the Newcastle Chronicle. “He looks like he has the ability now to go box to box, to compete not just in possession, but out of possession with duels. I thought he pressed well during the first half. I think we've seen a real growth in his endurance levels."

Howe is yet to make a decision on Anderson and wants to see more of him in pre-season as Newcastle have games against Mainz, Benfica, Atalanta and Athletic Bilbao.

Rovers are very much in the mix - and a cursory glance of the Newcastle fanbase indicates that is their