Beattie scored seven goals in 16 starts for Stoke at the end of last season

Stoke City striker James Beattie will make his comeback from a six-week injury lay-off in a reserve match against West Ham on Tuesday.

The 32-year-old has not played for the Potters since 16 February after undergoing minor knee surgery.

Beattie has only started two matches since being involved in a dressing room bust-up with manager Tony Pulis after the 2-0 defeat at Arsenal in December.

Asmir Begovic, Danny Pugh and Amdy Faye will also start at the Weaver Stadium.

Beattie, who joined Stoke from Sheffield United for £3.5m in January 2009, scored seven goals in his first 16 games for the club.

However, the former England international has found goals more difficult to come by in the current campaign, netting just twice in 23 appearances, with both coming in a 2-1 win against the Hammers at the Britannia Stadium in October.

E-mail this to a friend

Printable version