Anderson can be the ace in England pack insists Lee

FORMER MAGPIES' MIDFIELD FAVOURITE BACKING ACADEMY GRADUATE TO SHINE

- By LEE RYDER

FORMER England midfielder Rob Lee has backed Elliot Anderson to be one of the stars of the World Cup - but admits that his rise to the global stage will sting Newcastle United.

Anderson was sold for what now seems like a snip of a fee at just £35million to Nottingham Forest two years ago as Newcastle fended off the threat of the PSR rulebook and a near-certain points deduction.

The Geordie could leave Forest this summer for a fee of around £100m, and Thomas Tuchel has opened the door for transfers to take place during the tournament.

But Newcastle legend Lee knows that Toon fans and Eddie Howe will be watching on with a little envy if he rips up the world stage in America.

Lee said: “Without a doubt, Elliot Anderson is a dead cert starter alongside Declan Rice and Jude Bellingham. He can be one of the stars of the tournament for sure.

“How Newcastle had to let him go, though, that is what is wrong with football. Newcastle had a young lad they brought through and then had to sell him for PSR reasons.