Stoke City midfielder Michael Tonge is delighted to be reunited with former Sheffield United teammate James Beattie.

Tonge told The Sentinel: "He's a very good player and a natural old-fashioned target man.

"He is really good in the air and has also scored more than 30 goals since the start of last season.

"He's a proven Premier League player and it is only in the last 18 months he has dropped down into the Championship."

The midfielder added: "He's not just a good player, he's an all-round good lad who will work his socks off.

"He's a good athlete and you don't score the number of goals he has unless you are prepared to work hard.

"He has that work ethic, but also that extra ability you need. He can also score you goals out of nowhere."