Stoke City boss Tony Pulis is delighted his decision to splash out on former Sheffield United striker James Beattie paid off.

Beattie, 30, faces boyhood club Blackburn tomorrow having scored six goals in 11 games.

Pulis said: "The key was giving him the opportunity to play in the Premiership again. That's been the big thing for him.

"He's still got that point to prove. Keeping us up and scoring goals is an enormous carrot for him."