Elliot Anderson has hinted that another loan move may be best for his development – but still hopes to do enough over pre-season to become part of Eddie Howe’s first team.
Speaking from the club’s training base in Austria, the 19-year-old Geordie revealed that “playing games” is the most important thing for him ahead of the new season, feeling it’s vital he keeps developing and kicks on after bagging seven goals and six assists during a stunning six-month loan spell at Bristol Rovers.
He started last Saturday’s 5-1 win over Gateshead, creating the opening goal form Matt Ritchie, and looks set to feature in upcoming friendlies against 1860 Munich (Friday) and Mainz 05 (next Monday) as Howe weighs up whether to keep the attacking midfielder on Tyneside or loan him out once again.
Reading between the lines, I’d say he’s likely to be loaned out again, as he seems focused on playing week in, week out after having a successful taste of senior football last season.
Here’s what he had to say when discussing his next steps with NUFC.co.uk:
“I’ve just got to try and impress as much as I can really, and do my best.
“I’ve got to try and compete for a place around the team and see how I can do.
“I think not trying too hard to do that (is important) – just do your stuff, and see if you catch an eye, and work as hard as you can.
“It’s kind of like a free hit – I’ll give it my best shot, and if they think I need another season out (on loan), I’m happy to do that. Whatever’s best for me.
“I’d say for me, probably playing games is the most important thing, to be honest – carrying on my run that I have, and just trying to keep striving.
“Hopefully that’s here, or if it’s somewhere else on loan, I’ll be giving it my all.”
You can read the interview in full via the link below, which sees Anderson discuss that stunning loan spell at Bristol Rovers – which saw Joey Barton’s side clinch automatic promotion on the final day:
