Stoke boss Tony Pulis is telling striker James Beattie to score the goals that will keep Stoke in the Premier League and to force his way into the England squad. Beattie's four goals in five games since his £4m from Sheffield United have already prompted suggestions he could soon be interesting England manager Fabio Capello.

Pulis said: "If England comes along for Beattie so be it, he could certainly handle it. He has the experience and he has been a great addition for us.

"His form since he came here has been excellent. He has fitted in straight away. I keep hearing he could make England, we will see.

"It is vital he retains the appetite and hunger to score goals. We will have to defend well at Villa, but we also know that if we make chances for James he will score.

"We are hoping he will improve even more, and get us the goals to stay up. People are asking about him now for England, but being a Welshman I am not too worried about what England do.

"I am only bothered about us and if he can get us another four or five goals between now and the end of the season that will go a long way towards keeping us up."