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He's Beatt-ing down the door
SHEFFIELD United's preparations for the new Championship season have received a boost after it was revealed that James Beattie is making excellent progress in his battle to be declared fit for next month's opening game at St Andrews.
Kevin Blackwell's side open their bid for promotion with a potentially explosive encounter against Birmingham City, whose stay in the top-flight came to an end when they were relegated last term.
Beattie, the club's record signing, is a major doubt for the trip to the Midlands having recently undergone surgery to repair a damaged knee.
Together with fellow injury victim Greg Halford, he missed Saturday's 2-0 victory over League One Scunthorpe.
But Sam Ellis, United's assistant manager, refused to dismiss the possibility of the former England international being declared fit for August 9's televised clash.
"James is coming along nicely," Ellis told The Star. "In fact, we're having to rein him back a bit in training.
"Naturally he wants to get straight back into the thick of things, and that's a really good. But we're holding him back a little bit because we don't want there to be any danger of him having a relapse."
Ellis added: "Greg has got a little bit of a niggle and that's why he missed out (at Scunthorpe). But it's nothing serious.
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News that Beattie, who scored 22 goals last season, is unlikely to miss a substantial chunk of United's campaign will be a major source of encouragement for Blackwell has he attempts to avoid a repeat of the slow start which cost United a top-six finish last season and, ultimately, his predecessor, Bryan Robson, his job.
Blackwell has made no secret of his desire to make one more addition to his squad during the transfer window. But he can expect stiff competition from Stoke if he attempts to bring Michael Brown back to South Yorkshire.
Brown, who helped United reach the Division One Play-off Final in 2003, could be surplus to requirements at Wigan.
Chengdu Blades lost 7-0 to Chelsea in Macau.
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Saturday 26 May 2012
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