'Sensational' Newcastle United star in contention v Everton after 'strange' four month injury

Newcastle United boss Eddie Howe hailed Elliot Anderson's 'sensational' impact during Saturday's 4-3 comeback victory against West Ham United.

With the Magpies trailing 3-1, the 21-year-old was among the players called upon from the bench. And although Harvey Barnes grabbed the headlines for his late brace, Anderson's contribution did not go unnoticed.

The Whitley Bay-born midfielder has only recently returned from four months out with a back injury as he aims to get back to the levels he showed during United's trip to the United States for the Premier League Summer Series.

Howe said: "I felt at the start of the season that he would come into the team and have an outstanding season. I thought it would be his breakthrough season because during pre-season I thought he was outstanding.

"Unfortunately, we lost him through, again, another strange injury really but he's back and he's looked really, really good since coming back.

"I'm really, really pleased with him today. As much as I can talk about his potential and what he can deliver, he needs to deliver it when the pressure is on and he did today. I thought he was sensational when he came on."

With Sandro Tonali suspended and both Joelinton and Lewis Miley sidelined for the foreseeable, Newcastle's midfield area is once again fragile.

Joe Willock, Sean Longstaff and Bruno Guimaraes have formed the midfield three in the last few matches but Anderson will feel he has made a case to start when United welcome Everton to St James' Park this evening (kick-off 7:30pm).

Continuing his praise for Anderson, Howe said: "He is different. He's got that mix of technical ability, a goalscorer's mindset, he'll deliver the last pass but he's also tenacious and athletically he's very good.

"Although he's been out injured and he's sort of early steps, he's really good athletically so I hope for really big things just as long as he can stay fit."

Anderson's last start for the Magpies came in October when they drew 2-2 at West Ham when Alexander Isak's brace was cancelled out by Tomas Soucek and Mohammed Kudus.