Elliot Anderson has scored twice in 42 games for club and country this season. Four years ago, Elliot Anderson was helping Bristol Rovers win promotion from League Two. Since then, his stock has continued to rise and this could be a defining year, with Anderson tipped to star for England at this summer's World Cup.

The Nottingham Forest midfielder has quickly become a key man for England boss Thomas Tuchel, starting five of the past seven games - just three years after being called up by Scotland. He is due to face Japan at Wembley on Tuesday - after being rested for the game against Uruguay - as England's final countdown to this summer's World Cup begins.

Elliot Anderson made 12 appearances for England Under-21s, scoring two goals. Anderson, 23, was eligible to play for Scotland due to his Glasgow-born grandmother and was selected by Steve Clarke for their Euro 2024 game with Cyprus. He pulled out injured before opting for England - and then helped the Three Lions win the European Under-21 Championship last summer.

Liverpool's Harvey Elliott was named player of the tournament, scoring six goals including the opener in the final win over Germany, but Anderson also stood out and was picked in the best XI. Anderson featured alongside Bournemouth's Alex Scott in midfield to provide England with a solid foundation - and the Forest player's tireless running was particularly impressive in the 3-1 quarter-final win over Spain. His injury-time penalty eased England into the semi-finals, where they beat the Netherlands, before defending their title in Bratislava.

The summer was to be another platform for Anderson as he continued his form into Forest's chaotic season. Despite four managers and the club sitting 16th, embroiled in a Premier League relegation battle, he has been a consistent presence.

In the crucial 3-0 win at Tottenham, which moved Forest three points above the drop zone, Anderson created the most chances (three), completed more passes (38), won possession the most (nine) and made more tackles (six) than any of his team-mates. He has impressed staff with his commitment and regularly talks to the coaches to discuss the best way he can improve and contribute to improve the team.

His positional awareness has also earned praise although his work-rate and desire to cover as much ground as possible mean he often tires himself out - a potential backhanded compliment. A demanding individual, on himself and his team-mates, Forest view him as having the potential to become a complete player.

"It's been a big two years. I think I've done pretty well, to be honest, in the time I've been here, on and off the pitch," said Anderson, who moved from Newcastle for £35m in 2024. "I've matured as a person as well and thanks to the club for giving me that platform, going out there and letting me do my stuff.

"In players' careers, you never know where you're going to be. Moving from your hometown is a big step in your career. It was definitely something I needed to do and it has turned out really well. So I'm happy I made that step." His form has inevitably brought speculation over his City Ground future - with Manchester City - who he scored against this month - believed to be at the front of the queue to sign him this summer.

"I'm just focusing on my football at the moment and performing and trying to give everything for Nottingham Forest, really," added Anderson. "So that's all that's on my mind." His expected seventh cap against Japan comes after he made his debut in September against Andorra.

"I hope so," Anderson told BBC Sport when asked if he saw himself as an England regular now. "There's just so many good players in the England team. Obviously, I've played this year, but I'm also needing to perform in the Premier League and in the Europa League to keep the spot."

Anderson has made the fifth most passes in the Premier League this season with 2,002 - at a success rate of 85.8% - almost 200 more than the next midfielder on the list Dominik Szoboszlai. He has also won possession back 259 times - the highest in the division - and has won the most ground duels, 195 of his 359. Anderson has carried the ball 5,406.5m, only behind Jan Paul van Hecke, Declan Rice, Pedro Neto and Ryan Gravenberch this season.

To some, his success is no surprise. Former Stoke midfielder Glenn Whelan coached and played with Anderson during his loan at Bristol Rovers in 2022. Anderson joined the Pirates on deadline day in the February and made an instant impact, coming off the bench to win a point-saving penalty in the 1-1 draw at Sutton on his debut.

Whelan said: "The staff were a bit mindful at the time - Sutton were big, strong and aggressive and as a teenager would he be able to stand up to it? He came on and made the difference. He was a game-changer for Rovers. "The biggest respect I can give to Elliot is he was the one who got us promoted. He was the difference. Straight away you could tell he was different. He loves the ball, would take on two, three, four players and after the first game everyone was thinking 'we've got a proper talent here'."

The then 19-year-old scored seven goals in 21 appearances to help Rovers to automatic promotion, including the seventh goal in their improbable 7-0 final-day win over Scunthorpe. It left former Aston Villa and Stoke midfielder Whelan in no doubt of what Anderson could achieve.

"He's a bit of a throwback, the way he handles the ball. From where he's come from people talk about Gazza (Paul Gascoigne) - he has that about him," the former Republic of Ireland international told BBC Sport. "He can grab games by the scruff off the neck. It's been a difficult season for Forest but if you put him in a top-four team you'll see a bigger improvement again. You've only seen a small bit on the England stage but he can go to the very top. I see him being a big success for England and being a mainstay for years."