Beattie scored 19 goals last season, seven of which came for Stoke City

James Beattie's arrival at Stoke City was one of the main reasons for the Potters staying in the Premier League, according to midfielder Michael Tonge.

Beattie scored seven goals in 16 games after a £3m transfer in January.

Tonge, who played with Beattie at Sheffield United, told BBC Radio Stoke: "As far as impact goes, 'Beats' has had as big an impact as anybody.

"I'm not saying he's contributed more than anyone else in the team, but he's scored goals at vital times."

Stoke were hovering around the relegation zone before Beattie's arrival, but his goals helped the Potters to finish 12th in their debut season in the Premier League.

Tony Pulis did a shrewd bit of business to sign James Beattie Michael Tonge

Tonge, who swapped Yorkshire for the Potteries four months before Beattie, admitted he used his influence as a former team-mate to try and persuade the former England international to sign for Stoke.

"James was scoring goals and doing well in the Championship, and Tony Pulis did a shrewd bit of business to get him here," the 25-year-old added.

"I had a chat with him, he wanted to know what the club was about, and obviously I had nothing but good things to say."

Tonge failed to make a successful impact in his first season with Stoke, making just one Premier League start for the club.

However, he has told BBC Radio Stoke that he would like to stay at the Britannia Stadium and fight for a place in the first team next season.

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