‘We’ll see’: John Carver says it is up to 'phenomenal' Newcastle man to decide his own future

Newcastle United's academy graduate Elliot Anderson has cemented himself as a part of Eddie Howe's first team but has still yet to settle on an international allegiance.

Elliot Anderson has worked his way up from the youth set-up at Newcastle and into the first-team squad, following in the footsteps of Sean Longstaff and Andy Carroll.

Along the way, Anderson has represented Scotland at various youth levels due to qualifying to represent the Tartan Army via his grandparents.

However, as his senior international debut looms large on the horizon, Anderson may be about to defect back to his native England.

The Whitley Bay-born and raised 20-year-old was recently called up to the senior side for Scotland by Steve Clarke, but ultimately pulled out of the training camp before he could make his debut.

His withdrawal means that he is still eligible to represent England if Gareth Southgate were to give him the nod. Something that's not beyond the realms of possibility after the former Middlesbrough boss has publicly said he's a player England are watching.

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Now former Newcastle boss and current Scotland assistant (and of course former best coach in the Premier League) John Carver has had his say on the situation (via The Chronicle).

“We have to respect and give him the time to make his decision. He’s a young lad, he’s developing as a player and developing in the right direction. He needs to be given a little bit of time with his family.

“We’ve not put him under any pressure whatsoever. I think that’s the best way to deal with it and we’ll see how it progresses in the future. We can talk about Elliot, but it’s about the people who are here and we put our energy into that.

“I normally keep my distance anyway, but Newcastle’s my football club and I was at the Champions League game the other night. When he came on he was quite effective in the game, but it’s not for me to get involved. I’ve not spoken to anyone at the football club, I’ve not spoken to him or his family, it’s about giving him time."

It's understood that although the original story as to why Anderson pulled out of the Scotland camp was injury, it was subsequently reported that the player just wasn't happy in the training camp.

So with that being said and done, does this now mean that Anderson is just waiting for that call from Southgate? Perhaps if he stopped playing for Newcastle and changed his name to Maguire or Phillips he'd get picked and then we could finally put this saga to bed.