EDDIE HOWE has warned Elliot Anderson he is in the “hardest phase of his career”, but the Newcastle United boss is confident the 20-year-old will continue to make a positive impression in the remaining 12 games of the Premier League season.

Anderson made an immediate impact after leaving the bench at the half-time interval of Friday’s 2-1 win at Nottingham Forest, driving down the left-hand side of Newcastle’s attack and finding the net with a header that was only disallowed because Sean Longstaff had strayed offside in the build-up to the goal.

The youngster has been in and around the Magpies’ first-team squad all season, but Friday’s substitute appearance was only his 12th league outing of the campaign and he has only been handed one Premier League start.

He would have hoped for more opportunities after starring for Bristol Rovers during a loan spell last season, but given his lack of senior experience and the depth of the talent around him, Howe has warned him he will have to be patient as he looks for a chance to showcase his talent.

“With the quality of our squad, it’s never going to be easy to break in,” said the Magpies boss, who has flown to Dubai with Newcastle’s non-international players for a week-long training camp. “It’s the hardest phase of his career really.

“You can play well in youth football and look an outstanding talent, but actually breaking through into the Premier League is incredibly difficult to do. We’re a top team and we have top players in his position.

READ MORE:

“He’s competing to try and make that breakthrough, but this is the hardest part of his Newcastle career. Can he make that next step on a consistent basis? He certainly did himself no harm (against Nottingham Forest).”

Anderson replaced Allan Saint-Maximin at half-time at the City Ground, and was tasked with playing on the left of Newcastle’s attacking midfield.

The academy product filled a similar role on a number of occasions with Bristol Rovers, but had spent most of his time in a Newcastle shirt playing in more of a central-midfield position.

In the long term, Howe sees Anderson establishing himself as a central midfielder, but for now, he envisages using him mainly down the left-hand side.

“If I was pinned down to say his best position, then at this moment in time, I’d probably say wide,” said Howe. “But in the future, maybe more centrally. But I think that versatility is massive for us at the moment.”

Howe has backed Sven Botman to bounce back from the error that resulted in Newcastle conceding the opening goal on Friday evening, with the Dutchman having rolled a back-pass into the path of Emmanuel Dennis, who strode forward to score.

“He’s (Botman) been incredibly consistent for us this season,” he said. “He’s been a rock at the heart of our defence. We all make mistakes, I thought he responded very well in a difficult moment. It’ll be good for his learning to have gone through that.”