Bristol Rovers’ League One rivals Sheffield Wednesday want Elliot Anderson as development emerges

Bristol Rovers’ seemingly beat their League One rivals Sheffield Wednesday to the loan signature of Elliot Anderson, it has emerged.

Anderson, who scored the goal that clinched promotion from League Two for the Gas in their 7-0 win over Scunthorpe United, is a man in demand but no decision has been made on his immediate future.

The 19-year-old had a highly successful loan spell at the Memorial Stadium, scoring seven goals and getting six assists in his first taste of senior level football.

A report from YorkshireLive says that a deal had been agreed to take the youngster to Hillsborough on loan in January, but a move failed to materialise due to a number of factors.

Injuries and suspensions meant that the player was kept at St James’ Park until the end of the transfer window before an eleventh-hour move. He came as a suggestion to Joey Barton from his former teammate Shola Ameobi and after gaining a second opinion from Steve Harper, he was sent to the West Country for a six-month spell.

Meanwhile as Wednesday chased a promotion spot, they didn’t recruit a new midfielder in the January transfer window and instead opted to bring in Jordan Storey, Tyreece John-Jules and Harlee Dean on loan.

But Anderson is a player that has ‘been on the Owls’ radar for some time’ and they remain interested in him as they look to recruit players capable of getting them into the Championship next season.

Newcastle boss Eddie Howe had stated a few times his ‘disappointment’ that Anderson had to drop to the fourth tier in a bid of first-team minutes but gained a lot of benefits from the experience.

Rovers themselves want to take him back but ultimately he is another clubs player and they must play the waiting game before finding out their plans with him.

Right now, he is on international duty, linking up with Scotland’s Under-21’s squad after withdrawing from duty the last time back in March.

Having only been a substitute when with Scotland before, Anderson’s loan spell merited him a starting opportunity as he forced his way into Archie Gemmill’s plans.

The Tartan Army got a respectable goalless draw with Belgium and Anderson had a few opportunities to score and delivered another respectable performance as his stock continues to grow.

Scotland and Anderson are in action again on June 10 against Denmark, before a brief break and then he will report to pre-season training with Newcastle.

The Magies will take a look at him and he could be part of their pre-season tour before making a decision of whether to integrate him into the first-team or send him out on loan.