Elliot Anderson received a warm reception from Newcastle United after making his return to St James’ Park.

Geordie midfielder Elliot Anderson was back at St James’ Park on Sunday for the first time since leaving Newcastle United in the summer.

Anderson’s departure last June left head coach Eddie Howe gutted, with Newcastle given little choice but to sell their academy graduate to comply with Premier League Profitability and Sustainability Rules (PSR) and avoid a points deduction.

The 22-year-old was snapped up by Nottingham Forest for £35million, though the fee worked out at significantly less after United signed Greek goalkeeper Odysseas Vlachodimos in return for a reported £20m.

Anderson has gone on to thrive at the City Ground and has even been linked with an England call-up at times. However, he was unable to prevent his Forest side from losing 4-3 yesterday.

The Reds led after just six minutes through Callum Hudson-Odoi but four goals in 11 minutes, which included a brace from Alexander Isak, put Newcastle 4-1 up at half-time.

Eddie Howe’s side were cruising, but almost surrendered their three points. Nikola Milenkovic pulled a goal back on the hour-mark before substitute Ryan Yates made it 4-3 with three minutes remaining.

Fortunately for the Magpies, there wasn’t enough time on the clock for the visitors to strike again. As a result, Howe’s side moved up to fifth in the Premier League table, level on points with fourth place Manchester City and three behind third place Forest.

Elliot Anderson’s message to Newcastle United

Anderson started the match at St James’ Park, playing 77 minutes before being withdrawn.

When exiting the pitch, the Whitley Bay-born midfielder was given a big round of applause by the home fans, who earlier in the game could be heard chanting ‘Geordie Maradona’.

The reception wasn’t lost on Anderson, who took to Instagram after the game to thank Newcastle.

He wrote: “A game of 2 halves at SJP, wanted more! Thank you for the warm reception back in the toon ❤️”

Eddie Howe reflects on Elliot Anderson’s departure

Howe spoke at length about Anderson’s departure ahead of Newcastle’s 3-1 win at the City Ground in November.

“Elliot was a sale we didn’t want to make,” Howe said. “Nobody at the football club internally wanted to make that sale but we had to.

“I think I’ve said before I don’t understand that rationale - why we’re in a position that you’re incentivised to sell academy products,” he added.

“I don’t necessarily think they started with that intention of forcing teams to make those decisions.

“So for us to put all the work into Elliot, the academy, the coaches, the time, to then see him leave and now flourish for another Premier League club isn’t something I think we should be in a position to do.

“It should be more of a level field, you can sell players and have the same effect that it was with Elliot. Of course it was all profit for us, his sale, that’s why we were incentivised to sell him.”