Newcastle United's 'big game player' posts encouraging fitness update on social media

Newcastle United could be set for a fitness boost in the coming weeks, after a player posted on Instagram to update fans. The Magpies have struggled with injuries so far this season, with a number of key players missing action, including summer signing Harvey Barnes, who missed months of action before his recent return.

Eddie Howe will want his squad at near full strength as he attempts to guide Newcastle to another European qualification. Consistency has been hard to come by for the Magpies so far this season, and they currently sit in ninth place, looking up at the European spots.

The good news is that they will welcome back further squad depth in the coming weeks, with Elliot Anderson finally closing in on a return, judging by his social media update. Anderson has been out for much of the season after suffering a stress fracture in his back, but he posted an Instagram post on Thursday with the message: "Final few steps."

It comes after Howe's recent update on the young midfielder, with the Magpies boss saying: "Elliot is continuing his rehab from a stress fracture in his back. It’s been a difficult injury to manage for him and he’s not been very active for a long period of time, he’s trying to let his back heal. He has another scan next week so hopefully that’ll give us good news and he can start to build up his work."

Howe has also spoken about Anderson's talent and how he can help his team, describing him last year as a 'big game player'. He said: "The midfield has been performing as a unit very, very well this year. You look at each of the players in that midfield and you'd say they're up there as our best-performing players, so Elliot, we believe in him, it's just been the strength of the group.

"I think he showed last year in his loan spell - it was a brilliant experience for him - he showed that he's a big-game player. When they needed him, Bristol Rovers, he stood up and made the difference and yes, it could be a chance for him to do that again."