James Beattie could be on his way back to St Mary's
Rumours are doing the rounds that James Beattie could be returning to Saints should the club get promoted to the Championship.
He has had a mixed time since leaving Saints just over six years ago after eight years at the club, currently on loan at Blackpool its believed that he would welcome a return to the area due to the fact that he is married to a Southampton girl and she has strong ties to the area, Beattie himself has been a frequent visitor himself arranging the players Xmas party in Southampton at several of the clubs he played for.
He would be a good aquisition for a season in the Championship, although he is now 33 he is still big and strong and would be ideal to add depth to our attacking options, if we do get promoted we will nee a balance of youth and experience and Beattie fits the bill in the latter.
Of course he seems only to be able to do well at a Club that plays in red & white stripes, his time at everton was mixed, he rediscovered his touch at Sheffield United and was a potent force at Championship level for the Blades, initially at Stoke he did well in his return to the premier before falling out with Tony Pulis, at rangers injury has limited his opportunities resulting in a loan move to Blackpool,sadly for him this has coincided with the Lancashire club being in freefall and so thus far he hasnt exactly set the world alight.
This is of course a long way from actually happening and first Saints have to do their part and get promoted, but its good to see the football club once again being lnked with players of the class of Beattie.