Bristol Rovers are set to be without on-loan Newcastle United midfielder Elliot Anderson for at least one match later this month after the 19-year-old was called up to the Scotland Under-21 squad.
Anderson is in contention to play against Turkey at Tynecastle on March 25 and in Kazakhstan four days later, which rules him out of Rovers’ game against Carlisle United on March 26 at Brunton Park and potentially the home visit of Bradford City the following Saturday should there be any issues in returning from Almaty.
It’s the second time Anderson has earned a place in Scott Gemmill’s squad but is yet to make his debut at that level having previously been capped for the U16, U17 and U18 side.
Although born in England, Anderson qualifies for Scotland due to his grandmother and was scouted into the international set-up by former Magpies midfielder Kevin Dillon who now works for the Scottish FA.
Anderson has been an increasingly influential presence in the Gas midfield since arriving on loan until the end of the season on deadline day in January.
He’s started nine of a possible 10 games, either to the left of Joey Barton’s attacking midfield three, or through the centre, scoring once with a further two assists. Of the regular starters, he’s also second to Antony Evans in terms of key passes per 90 minutes with 1.5.
His impact has been warmly received by Newcastle manager Eddie Howe who admitted that month that he thought the 19-year-old’s quality would enable a Championship loan spell, something that could be in the club’s thinking for next season.
Barton’s strong connections with Newcastle, however, enabled the midfielder to make the switch to the Mem and such has been his progress on the Scouser's watch it could well pave the way for further young talent from the club to follow suit.
Anderson’s absence will be felt by Rovers but they do have options in reserve with Luke Thomas now coming into view having not started a game since early February.
The 23-year-old can slot into a wide attacking midfield role and with Evans and Harry Anderson also in place, plus Sam Finley, who could be moved further forward and Jon Nolan, Barton has plenty of alternatives. Top scorer Aaron Collins can also play as a No10, opening up a striker’s spot for either Ryan Loft, Harvey Saunders or Leon Clarke.
Anderson may also not be in the only international call-up for Rovers to deal with over the weekend of March 26 as goalkeeper Anssi Jaakkola has been a regular in the Finland squad, while right-back Luca Hoole is a Wales Under-19 international and has recently been watched by U21 coach Paul Bodin.
Should that happen, that would put Rovers in a position to request a postponement of the fixture against Carlisle, given Anderson, Jaakkola and Hoole are all established and key first-team players with EFL rules permitting such an application if a club receives at least three international call-ups.
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