Beattie hurt his knee in the 0-0 draw with Birmingham on 22 August

Stoke City striker James Beattie believes he can form a successful strike partnership with Tuncay.

Beattie, 31, told BBC Radio Stoke that the arrival of the Turkey captain from Middlesbrough for £5m is a real coup for the Potters.

"I'd like to think a partnership between us could work," he said.

"His touch and his vision are amazing and he can finish as well. Hopefully I can get myself fit and be in with a shout of playing up there with him."

Beattie added: "Everybody's been really excited about him coming because he's the sort of player we haven't got.

"He's been very impressive in training and in the international week just gone.

"He's widely regarded as one of the best, if not the best player in Turkey and it's credit to the club that he's come to Stoke."

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