Beattie needs 16 more goals to reach 100 in the Premier League

Stoke City striker James Beattie has said he is glad to have escaped the physical treatment handed out to him by defenders in the Championship.

The 30-year-old has scored two goals in four games since moving to the Britannia Stadium from Sheffield United for �2.5m in January.

He told BBC Radio Stoke "You don't get defenders coming through the back of you [in the Premier League].

"The better defenders allow you have the ball, and then take it off you!"

He will need that support in City's next game, at home to Portsmouth on Saturday, 21 February.

Beattie spent six-and-a-half years with Pompey's closest rivals Southampton, and admitted this will give him more motivation to find the net.

"I've scored a few goals against Portsmouth in my career," said Beattie. "Having played for Southampton, they are a nice team to score against.

"That's why they love me so much because I keep scoring against them, so hopefully I can do it again," he added.

E-mail this to a friend

Printable version