Championship manager hits back at reports involving Newcastle United star

The Magpies youngster has interest from several clubs during the January transfer window.
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Luton Town manager Rob Edwards has denied he has an interest in taking Newcastle United youngster Elliot Anderson on loan during the January transfer window.

It is just under 12 months since the attacking midfielder made a similar move to then-League Two club Bristol Rovers as he linked up with former Magpies star Joey Barton at the Memorial Ground. Anderson quickly made the most of the opportunity and the move proved to be an undoubted success as he scored eight goals and provided five assists in 21 appearances during a memorable end to the season.

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Anderson wrote his name into Rovers folklore when he headed a late goal in a dramatic 7-0 final day win over Scunthorpe United to ensure Barton’s side claimed the third and final automatic promotion place by the narrowest of margins.

He reflected on the first loan spell of his career in an interview with the Magpies website during the summer, saying: “I think it was probably the best thing I could have done, to be honest. I thought I performed pretty well and I got goals, which was the main thing for me. I had good performances to start with and didn’t get any, but it was one of my aims to get the goals and they finally started to come in.

“I got one and then I was like, ‘Right, now’s the time’. They just started coming. Naturally, I was in the right positions - I played higher up on the left wing after a few games, and I started getting into better positions from there.”

Anderson was expected to make a similar move during the first half of the current season but his pre-season performances persuaded Magpies manager Eddie Howe to keep the youngster on Tyneside. After making two starts and eight substitute appearances, there has been speculation Anderson could depart on loan during the January transfer window - although Howe shot down those rumours ahead of Saturday’s FA Cup third round tie at Sheffield Wednesday.

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The likes of Preston North End and Luton Town had been linked with a move for the youngster - but one key figure at the latter revealed there was no interest in Anderson ‘at the moment’.

Newcastle United midfielder Elliot Anderson.Newcastle United midfielder Elliot Anderson.
Newcastle United midfielder Elliot Anderson.

As per Luton Today, Hatters manager Rob Edwards said: “Football’s really funny, it throws up loads of rumours. Clearly we’ll have lists, we’re always constantly monitoring players and looking at always trying to improve, but there’s nothing on Elliot Anderson at the moment, no.”

One United youngster did leave the club on loan on Thursday as goalkeeper Dan Langley joined National League North club Spennymoor Town for the rest of the season.