Newcastle United star’s international withdrawal confirmed — second injury blow this week

Scotland have confirmed Newcastle United attacking midfielder Elliot Anderson has withdrawn from the national squad.

The 20-year-old was called up by Steve Clarke for the first time for the Euro 2024 qualifier in Cyprus on Friday and the 150th anniversary match against England at Hampden next Tuesday. But as broken by the Daily Record on Tuesday night, Anderson has returned to Tyneside for treatment after suffering an unspecified injury in training.

The news was confirmed by Scotland yesterday afternoon via social media. They posted: “Squad update. IN: Robby McCrorie. OUT: Liam Kelly and Elliot Anderson. #CYPSCO”

With Anderson still waiting for his first senior cap, it leaves the door open for England to swoop back in for the former Bristol Rovers loanee. Anderson had played for Scotland at multiple youth levels before he switched to England at under-19 level. He returned to play for the Scots at under-21.

Newcastle will now hope to have Anderson available for the visit of Brentford after the international break. While the Whitley Bay-born youngster hasn’t started a game this season, he has appeared in all four matches against Aston Villa, Manchester City, Liverpool and Brighton and Hove Albion.

Anderson is the second player to withdraw from international duty this week after Alex Murphy’s withdrawal from the Republic of Ireland under-21s.

In a statement released by Ireland on Monday morning, they revealed Murphy suffered an unspecified injury during the young Magpies’ 4-0 defeat to Manchester City under-21s on Saturday and was therefore unavailable.

The 19-year-old featured for Eddie Howe’s first-team during pre-season and particularly impressed in games versus Chelsea and Fiorentina. Against the former, Murphy was introduced as a left-back following an early injury at Fabian Schar.

And in the Switzerland international’s absence, Murphy lined up alongside Sven Botman as United beat Fiorentina 2-0 on his first senior start at St James’ Park.