‘Looks stronger’: Eddie Howe impressed with how ‘brilliant’ player now trains

This has been a nightmare season for Newcastle United on so many levels.

Not only was Sandro Tonali’s ban from football viewed as something that killed Newcastle’s hopes for the season, there have been other huge obstacles to have emerged.

FFP frustrations limited what the club could do in the transfer market in January, while pretty much every single cup draw conjured up difficult games.

That’s without even mentioning the sheer number of injuries Eddie Howe has had to deal with.

Sven Botman recently become the latest high-profile casualty but the season has been equally as frustrating for young Elliot Anderson.

Big things were predicted of the youngster during pre-season but a back problem saw him miss 25 games of the season.

Still, it’s important to remember the academy graduate is still only 21 and perhaps he can use the rest of the season to get back up to speed. Hailed as “brilliant” by Kieran Trippier, there is reason to be excited about him.

Indeed, Howe is seemingly impressed with what he’s seeing from Anderson on the training pitch.

Eddie Howe says Elliot Anderson is looking so much stronger in training now

Speaking ahead of Saturday’s clash at home with West Ham, Howe said of the midfielder (via the club’s official X account: “He is getting there, he looks stronger and more robust, he has trained well the last two weeks.

“He is a really talented player; I want to see him do well for the remainder of the season.”

Elliot Anderson has a lot to prove for Newcastle

Clearly, Anderson could have done little about his injury, one that was believed to have been complicated.

Still, it will be interesting to see whether or not he can live up to the hype. Fellow youngster Lewis Miley has certainly lived up to his.

Anderson will surely need time to fully get back into the swing of things but, at some point, the club need to see him deliver on the promise that is often talked about.

If he can start to show some glimpses between now and the end of the season, next year could be massive for him.