James Beattie is recovering so well from injury that Kevin Blackwell reckons he could be back in the Sheffield United team later this month.The 30-year-old striker has been struggling with a knee injury but is expected to return to full training this week despite fears he was set for a lengthy spell on the sidelines.

Blackwell told the Sheffield Star: "Beatts has astounded me with the speed of his recovery. He's been itching to get involved again and he's due to start doing football work again in the next few days.

"He's been doing lots of fitness routines in the gym. The medical staff examined him and told us he's ready to join in with us properly."

He added: "I'd written Beatts off until October at the earliest but, at the rate he's going, it could be the end of this month."

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