After a rather mixed start to the new Premier League season, Newcastle could desperately do with an injection of optimism.The Magpies have seen over the past couple of seasons what a couple of young, homegrown talents can do to life the mood. You only have to look at the two Longstaff brothers to see how the fan-base can rally around the team - Matty's stunning winner against Manchester United last year will no doubt live long in the memory for example.And whilst Steve Bruce has yet to introduce any new rising stars to his Premier League side just yet, he must surely be tempted to throw Elliot Anderson into the team very soon.The versatile midfielder has started the new campaign on fire for the U23s, bagging four goals in four games and providing one assist too. And his latest performance in the EFL Trophy where he scored twice against Bolton Wanderers surely whetted the appetite of Magpies fans.His knack for breaking into the box and grabbing a goal is something Newcastle currently don't have in their central midfield options, and it even led to The Chronicle journalist Lee Ryder to suggest that Anderson is "knocking on Steve Bruce's door now" thanks to his performance.

Reports have further suggested that he has impressed those involved in first-team training, with Allan Saint-Maximin said to be one who has been particularly vocal in his praise of the starlet.

Bruce has already shown he isn't averse to giving young players a chance like he did with Longstaff last season against United. Doing the same with Anderson may be the key to giving the Toon Army another local face to get behind, and maybe even springing a welcome surprise on Premier League opponents too.