Anderson set to join an exclusive old boys club

WHEN Elliot Anderson wins his first senior England cap against either Andorra or Serbia in the coming days, he will be following an illustrious path once trodden by North East greats such as Alan Shearer, Paul Gascoigne and Peter Beardsley.

- By STUART JAMIESON Regional football editor

The Wallsend Boys Club graduate earned his call-up into Thomas Tuchel’s squad with a series of impressive performances for Nottingham Forest, and is in line to win his first cap in the forthcoming World Cup qualifiers after helping the Under-21s to Euros glory in the summer.

It comes a year after leaving his boyhood club Newcastle United, with the Magpies reluctantly selling the youngster to Forest in a bid to meet PSR requirements in 2024.

Anderson admits it was difficult to leave United, but also recognises that the move to the City Ground has meant regular Premier League football - and the chance to represent England.

“It was sort of a tough move at the time, but I think ultimately I probably wouldn’t be sitting here now if I didn’t make the move,’ Anderson admitted.

“I think sometimes you've got to step out of your comfort zone and believe in yourself, which is sort of what I've done.