Beattie, who scored 22 goals during his debut season at Bramall Lane, has stunned doctors and coaches alike with his speedy recovery from a routine knee operation designed to remove damaged tissue from around the joint.

The sight of their most influential striker watching from the stands has been a source of frustration for United as they attempt to stamp their authority on the Championship table.

Beattie is expected to travel in a supporting role to The Galpharm Stadium tomorrow, where his teammates face a potentially tricky Carling Cup tie with Huddersfield Town.

And Blackwell is now relishing the prospect of unleashing the club's most prized asset on the rest of the division.

"Beatts will be doing a lot of football work from now on," he said. "That's what he's going to be concentrating on."

Huddersfield, beaten 3-1 at home by MK Dons last weekend, are a much-changed team to the one which inflicted a solitary defeat on Blackwell's side during their summer warm-up programme.

David Unsworth, Chris Lucketti and Danny Cadamarteri are familiar faces to the visitors, all having worn the red and white stripes during some stage of their careers.

But Stan Ternent, Huddersfield's manager, is guaranteed to hold a few aces up his sleeve as United go in search of revenge.

Liam Dickinson, the promising Derby County striker, could be forced to miss out after joining on loan.

But Tom Dickinson and Ian Craney, signed from Wakefield and Accrington Stanley respectively, are both available for selection.

Craney in particular could have a crucial role to play.

"Technically Craney is a very good player," Ternent said.

"He's an out and out winner so I'm delighted to have him on board."



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