Newcastle United are believed to have made a decision regarding the future of highly-rated teenager Elliot Anderson.

What's the word?

According to journalist Luke Edwards, Magpies manager Eddie Howe has opted to keep the 19-year-old at the club for the forthcoming season, despite previous suggestions that he would be heading out on loan.

Writing on Twitter about the youngster's future, the club insider wrote: "Newcastle to keep wonderkid Elliot Anderson as transfer stalemate continues".

In his attached article for The Telegraph, Edwards revealed that the academy graduate has impressed to such an extent during pre-season that the former Bournemouth boss is keen to retain him as part of his first-team plans on Tyneside for the 2022/23 campaign.

The Scotland under-21 international - who has two years remaining on his existing deal at St James' Park - had enjoyed a promising temporary spell with Bristol Rovers during the second half of last term.

Supporters must be buzzing

That news will no doubt have Newcastle supporters buzzing at the thought of the highly-rated gem potentially getting his chance to shine in the senior setup next season, with big things expected of a player who has previously drawn comparisons to club legend Peter Beardsley.

A gifted, creative playmaker like the former England international, Anderson has been restricted to just two first-team appearances for the Tynesiders in his embryonic career thus far, although he showcased his undoubted talent during what was a truly stunning spell at the Memorial Stadium.

Under the tutelage of former Newcastle midfielder Joey Barton, the £2.3k-per-week menace recorded a stunning haul of eight goals and five assists in just 21 League Two outings, notably netting the crucial seventh goal in a barnstorming final day thrashing of Scunthorpe to secure promotion to the third tier.

While Rovers, along with a host of other Football League clubs, are seemingly keen to secure another loan deal for the fleet-footed "ballerina" - as dubbed affectionately by Barton - it would appear that the emerging prospect is set to now take the step up to life in the Premier League.

That leap may appear too steep for most, although in the case of the Whitley Bay native he will no doubt take it in his stride, with Toon supporters seemingly desperate to see a young man who has even been likened to a certain Paul Gascoigne in action next season.

For all the star-studded names who could arrive through the door under the new regime at St James' Park, it is a local lad who could well generate the most intrigue among the Newcastle faithful.

AND in other news, Imagine him & ASM: NUFC can form dream duo in swoop to sign "wonderful" £50m dynamo...