Elliott Dickman has told Chronicle Live that the injury Elliot Anderson sustained is not as bad as first feared, which should come as great news to first-team manager Eddie Howe.
Anderson missed the Magpies’ U23s win over rivals Sunderland on Monday in the Premier League 2. Dylan Stephenson hit both of the Toon’s goals to edge the 10-man Black Cats.
Dickman has provided Anderson with a consistent role in his development side so far this season. But he had to make do without the 19-year-old after he sustained an issue during the Toon’s clash with Aston Villa, before Storm Arwen forced the game to be abandoned.
Anderson thrilled in his last full outing for Newcastle’s reserves against Nottingham Forest last month. The Whitley Bay-born maestro struck all three of the Magpies’ goals for a hat-trick and to move on to five goals for the PL2 season so far after six appearances.
He would have hoped to see Howe reward his form at youth level with a return to the first-team. Anderson has not featured in a senior Newcastle squad since watching their 2-1 loss at Wolves from the bench. His inclusion came under Steve Bruce, who left 18-days later.
Anderson injury not as bad as Newcastle first feared
Howe has kept Anderson close to the Newcastle squad since replacing Bruce at the helm. But his injury has curtailed his chances of minutes, yet should return sooner than feared.
“Obviously Elliot is in and around the first-team, so he is up there getting his treatment,” Dickman said. “But I don’t think it is as bad as first thought.
“So that is good news. In terms of how long he’s out, I don’t know. I am just delighted that it’s not as bad and he will be back sooner rather than later.”
Anderson returning sooner than expected should delight Howe, as well as Newcastle U23s boss Dickman. The Toon coach should revel in the midfielder’s availability and look to hand him his first senior minutes this season.
Bruce named Anderson on the bench twice, but overlooked the youngster at Watford and Wolves. He also only handed the teenager two outings last term, with both in January.
Anderson made his senior debut against Arsenal in the FA Cup before facing the Gunners in the league nine-days later. Yet his appearances only totalled 42-minutes as a substitute and Bruce elected against awarding the Toon talent further outings amid their relegation fight.
Newcastle are in a fight for survival again but with the FA Cup around the corner, Howe can reintroduce Anderson if the teen overcomes his injury in time to face Cambridge United.
Anderson has shown he can offer creativity at youth level, and did not look out of place at Arsenal. Now, impressing in the FA Cup could see his senior career start to take shape.
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