Howe admits Newcastle player is getting close to starting for his side soon

Eddie Howe has admitted that Newcastle United youngster Elliot Anderson is pushing for a first Premier League start.

Anderson made his first league appearance of the season on Sunday, coming off the bench against Wolves.

The 19-year-old’s cameo certainly raised some eyebrows, and he nearly scored his first Newcastle goal.

The Scottish youth international hit the bar with a header from a corner.

Howe admits Anderson is pushing for first Newcastle league start

Howe was full of praise for Anderson, saying: “You see him (Anderson) come on against Wolves and it was a great thing to see him do so well and impact the game.

“Yeah he is (pushing for a Premier League start).

“The cameo that he did the other day will certainly do him no harm in my eyes.

“He needs to earn my trust, and he can only do that when he enters the pitch.

“But I think we saw someone that had no fear.

“He believed he belonged on the pitch which is half the battle, and he nearly scored the winning goal for us.

“Yeah, a lot of credit to Elliot for that.”

In a summer where Newcastle were expected to spend a lot of money, Anderson’s emergence has been very impressive.

The 19-year-old’s loan spell at Bristol Rovers proved he’s a talent to be taken seriously.

He scored eight goals and provided five assists from midfield in 21 appearances.

Newcastle’s main attacking midfielder this season is Joelinton, with Jonjo Shelvey currently injured.

Anderson is certainly pushing for a first start with his attacking attributes.

Joe Willock spurned a golden opportunity to score against Wolves, and Anderson’s scoring record suggests he could be a better fit it Howe needs a player to provide goals from midfield.