Newcastle United midfielder Elliot Anderson is back on the grass after more than three months out with a back injury.
Anderson suffered a stress fracture in his back in October and hasn't been seen in action since the 4-0 win over Crystal Palace, missing the last 21 matches in all competitions. But the 21-year-old has since taken to Instagram to provide an encouraging fitness update.
Anderson posted a photo of himself on the grass in Newcastle training gear with his boots on and a ball at his feet.
Anderson is understood to still be around a month away from a return to action. But his return to the grass will be seen as a real boost for Eddie Howe's side amid an ongoing and seemingly never-ending injury crisis.
Howe recently said about Anderson's injury: "Elliot is continuing his rehab from a stress fracture in his back. It’s been a difficult injury to manage for him and he’s not been very active for a long period of time, he’s trying to let his back heal.
"He has another scan next week so hopefully that’ll give us good news and he can start to build up his work." Anderson has made 12 appearances in all competitions for Newcastle this season but is still eyeing his first competitive goal for the club. He has been fairly prolific in friendly matches for The Magpies and had a goal cruelly ruled out by VAR for offside in the 2-1 win at Nottingham Forest last season.
As the young midfielder pushes to return to fitness, Howe is hoping to welcome back some key players from injury in the near future.
1. Tino Livramento (knock)
Eddie Howe confirmed the right-back picked up a knock during the defeat at Arsenal but was able to play-on through the issue before being taken off in the closing stages. Expected return: Blackburn Rovers (A) - 27/02
2. Martin Dubravka (illness)
Misses the Arsenal game due to illness. Expected return: Wolves (H) - 02/03
3. Matt Targett (hamstring)
Matt Targett has been on the sidelines after picking up a hamstring injury in the opening minutes of Newcastle’s 3-0 Carabao Cup win against Manchester United. The left-back had surgery on his hamstring in November and given a three month recovery time. Howe has since confirmed Targett is back on the grass and expected to return to training later this month. Expected return: Wolves (H) - 02/03
4. Elliot Anderson (back)
Anderson was featuring fairly regularly for the Magpies this season but has been out for an extended period with a back injury. It was initially suggested the midfielder would be back in training by the end of 2023 but he is likely to be out for over four months in total with a return to training close. Expected return: Wolves (H) - 02/03