Newcastle United boss Eddie Howe insists he has big plans for Elliot Anderson.
The midfielder had a brief appearance in Saturday's 5-1 thrashing of Aston Villa.
Howe told ChronicleLive: "I think he has been excellent, he's scored goals and created goals.
"He's stayed fit which has been hugely important. Last season he picked up a few little niggles which just delayed his progress. He will be a hugely important player for us this season.
"I think what he's done is put himself where we view him as a first-team player and on a par with everybody else fighting for places, when I first arrived he was viewed as a young up and coming prospect. That is a big jump. And that is down to him."