If this is true, Steve Bruce has just 'blocked' the perfect loan move for Elliot Anderson

Highly rated local lad Elliot Anderson received a January offer to join Luton Town on loan, according to The Chronicle.

However, it is believed Steve Bruce 'blocked' the Championship side's loan bid, insisting at the time that the attacking midfielder would be getting a chance in the near future.

A few months on and it's starting to look like a really poor decision from the Newcastle United boss.

After all, Anderson has barely featured since the turn of the year and has missed out on most matchday squads - which is frustrating for his development when a spell in the second tier with Luton could've been EXACTLY what he needed as he makes the step up to senior level.

One silver lining is that Anderson may yet be handed his chance over the coming weeks if injuries to Almiron and Saint-Maximin rule them out for the foreseeable future. Speculation still continues with how bad the injuries are, but are likely to be sidelined for a few weeks at least.

The 18 year-old has only made one senior team appearance and has recently found himself back in the U-23’s - scoring in last weeks 3-2 win vs West Brom before picking up a knock that's ruled him out of their clash with Reading on Monday afternoon.

Appearing against Arsenal in the FA Cup, Anderson looked very comfortable coping with the pace and physicality of the game, making this move to keep him at the club seem like a real missed opportunity.