Stoke City FC

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• Manager:Tony Pulis

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Beattie set for Rovers return

30 Jan 2010 - 12:46:45

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Stoke City striker James Beattie is being linked with a transfer to Blackburn as Rovers manager Sam Allardyce attempts to find a replacement for Benni McCarthy.

The South Africa international is expected to seal a switch to West Ham once work permit complications are overcome and Allardyce has expressed his interest in former Everton star Beattie.

He told the Lancashire Telegraph: "James Beattie is obviously a former Blackburn player and, if Benni goes, he might be one that we look at.

"We know that many players are available and we'd see where we go with the finance that is available and what is available for that finance.

"Negotiations are tentative at the moment until Benni is absolutely certain that he is leaving us and then we will see what we can do. We may bring another player in, we may not.

"But if we do bring another player in he will have to have an immediate impact, because if not there is no point as this squad is on the up anyway."

Beattie is expected to leave the Britannia Stadium after falling out with boss Tony Pulis after the defeat at Arsenal earlier in the season.