Exclusive by John May

Beattie incurred the injury while playing for England

England striker James Beattie is ready to lead Southampton's attack at Aston Villa after making a rapid recovery from a torn calf muscle.

Beattie opened up a three centimetre tear in his calf during England's friendly defeat against Denmark.

Initial fears were that he would be out for six weeks after missing the clash with Chelsea last weekend.

But Beattie trained on Thursday, and then announced: "I'm fit for selection on Saturday."

"I felt it go towards the end of the England game and I suspected I had torn it.

"I know how tricky muscle tears can be, but luckily it was along the grain of the muscle, instead of across it, so it healed quickly.

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"Past experience has told me the dangers of coming back too quickly but I've had treatment on it every day and I'm lucky I'm a quick healer.

"I'm lucky that I haven't been injured for ages, but this brought me back to earth with a bump."

Southampton are keen to get Beattie back on firing on all cylinders as he is vital to their attack, having scored half their Premiership goals last season.

Although Beattie has declared his fitness, manager Gordon Strachan may be tempted to hold the big striker back for next Tuesday's Carling Cup clash with neighbours Portsmouth at St Mary's.