by Martin Spinks
martin.spinks@thesentinel.co.uk

GOAL glutton James Beattie has set his heart on a century of Premier League strikes after returning to the top flight with 81 to his name.

And Stoke’s latest signing reckons he is close to his peak again after reviving his career over the last 18 months at Sheffield United.

The 30-year-old striker, who signed a two-and-a-half year contract after arriving for a package that could total £3.5m, says: “I was sure I was always going to get back into the Premier League one way or another.

“I still believe I can do it in this league. I’m proven in this league, so there’s no reason to say I can’t do it.

“I’ve got 81 Premier League goals and I’ve always said I want to get 100 goals.

“My best mate said I could get there this season, but I think he’s a bit biased.

“Kevin Blackwell and Sam Ellis at Sheffield United were desperate to keep me, but the club wanted me out for financial reasons and nailed their colours to the mast on that one.

“Kevin Blackwell said I deserved to be in the Premier League and Sam Ellis recently said I was playing my best football at Sheffield United.”

Beattie himself believes his peak came at Southampton when he also earned five England caps during 2003.

“I would have to say my best time came at Southampton,” he continued, “and hopefully I can now do my talking on the pitch, then people can come to their own conclusions about me.

“It’s every schoolboy’s dream to play for England, in whatever sport, and it was a very emotional time for my family, friends and myself.

“It’s just a pity I hit the woodwork on a couple of occasions. If one goes in, you never know what can happen. But I do look back on that period with fond memories.”

Memories are not quite so rosy when it comes to his two-and-a-half seasons at Everton, however, after failing to consistently impress manager David Moyes following a £6m move from Southampton in 2005.

“I enjoyed my time there, apart from the last 12 months when the manager didn’t see me in his plans and didn’t really treat me that well off the pitch.

“It left a bit of a sour taste and it was a really big decision to drop down a division to join Sheffield United.

“But a lot of people have congratulated me in resurrecting my career, as it were, because it would have been easy to disappear down the league. Now I’ve got a chance in the Premier League again with Stoke and I can’t wait.”

He explained that his move to Stoke stalled temporarily at the back end of last week because he was keen to ensure Sheffield United really wanted to sell him.

“I was down here last Thursday, but it didn’t happen last week because there were just a couple of minor things we needed to sort out. I thought I would test the waters and it was clear they wanted me out for financial reasons.”

And Beattie arrives at the Britannia with a Stoke goal already to his name after scoring an own goal in City’s 3-0 win at Bramall Lane last season.

“I can’t remember that one, honestly. Oh well, at least you can say I’ve already opened my account for Stoke – and without even playing a game yet.”