Elliot Anderson is already beginning to impress at Bristol Rovers after just a week with the squad following his deadline day loan move from Newcastle United.
The highly-rated 19-year-old is being lined up for his first start for the League Two side against Oldham Athletic this evening.
He made his debut for the Gas as he was introduced from the substitute’s bench with half an hour left in their 1-1 draw with Sutton United on Saturday.
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Rovers were a goal down when Anderson made his way on to the pitch and he was picked out as one of the stand-out performers by our sister site, Bristol Live, in their player ratings.
Speaking to the local media in the build up to the clash with Oldham, Barton was full of praise for the young Newcastle midfielder.
"I think we’ve pulled out a gem there," he told Bristol Live. "His first day of training… Mangs [first-team coach Andy Mangan] has said it’s the best first day of training he’s ever seen in our coaching experience. Racking my brain, I don’t think he’s wrong.
"He really lit the session up on Thursday, to the point where the senior players are like ‘Whoa, we’ve got a player here’.
"I think it has put a few on notice because a young lad has come in and when you see some of the touches from Saturday, I think he’s going to be a real player.
"You see it in his cameo on Saturday, his desire to get on the ball and take it in tight spaces. It’s what he’s shown us on the training ground in the past couple of days and he’s got a confidence about him.
"I think he’s going to be a real player and we’re delighted to help him at this point in this journey and no doubt he will help us."
Anderson’s versatility and ability to play in a few positions has long made him a player rated by those at Newcastle’s academy.
Many were surprised to see him secure a move to the fourth tier with a belief that he is good enough to play at a higher level.
Barton admitted that, while it is important to find his best position over the next few weeks, his quality will be vitally important to the squad at the Memorial Stadium.
He said: "The luxury with him is it looks like he can play a couple of those positions, which is always how we try and play players and that was the big thing about taking him.
"For me, I think we need a bit more time to work with him to find his best position, but what he has shown is he is a helluva player, and when you’ve got helluva on your hands, you find a way to get them in your team.
"There is competition right throughout the squad, everyone is on notice and we want that."
Magpies supporters are sure to be keeping a keen eye on Anderson’s development with Bristol Rovers as they look to move into promotion contention in League Two.
They will be desperate for him to move into the first team at St James’ Park regularly in the future given his, and his family’s, history with the club.
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