Elliot Anderson is proud to be the latest North East talent to where the Three Lions of England
Elliot Anderson of England
Elliot Anderson is set to win his first senior England cap(Image: The FA via Getty Images)
When Elliot Anderson wins his first seriior 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.
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.
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"Definitely, 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.
"I believed I was ready to go and play in the Premier League every week. I don't think I would be in this position now if I didn't do it."
Anderson is hoping to become the latest of the famed Wallsend Boys Club alumni to play for England, following in the footsteps of Shearer, Gascoigne, Beardsley and Michael Carrick.
The 22-year-old played in the same team as Gascoigne's nephew so got some special attention from the former England maestro.
"His nephew, I think it was, played for my team throughout the ages so I sort of got to speak to him a few times through my upbringing, so that was good," Anderson added.
"Him being an England legend and everything and just being able to speak to him and and sort of learn the game from him was, I probably didn't realise it at the time, but now it's an incredible thing really.
"I am very proud. It's a top boys club up in the North East and I think you can see all the professional footballers who have come through Wallsend.
"For a while there hasn't really been another player to make England, it's a really proud moment and I'm just hoping I get that cap."
At club level, Anderson is hoping Nuno Espirito Santo is still in charge of Forest when he returns from England duty.
He comes from a club in the midst of civil unrest as Nuno is set for peace talks with Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis during the current international break.
The Portuguese admitted his bond with the Greek businessman deteriorated amid a similarly terse relationship with new head of football Edu Gaspar.
Anderson's full focus is on cementing his place in Tuchel's squad but hopes Nuno will still have a job when his attention turns back to club matters.
"Yeah definitely," Anderson said when asked if he hoped Nuno would still be boss. "He's been really good for me. I feel he's given me the freedom to go out and do what I do. He just believes in me, which is the main thing.
"He has said 'go out and play the way you train', which has really helped me. Freedom in the team has given me the platform to do well.
"Right now I'm just focusing on this camp and doing my best here and then when I get back to my club I'll be focused on my club."