Blades confident over Beattie

[COYG]

Sheffield United boss Bryan Robson is hopeful Everton striker James Beattie will sign for them after holding talks with the player and his advisors.

Everton have accepted an offer in the region of £4m for the 29-year-old England striker after paying Southampton £6m for Beattie in 2005.

Robson told Sheffield United's website: "Negotiations have gone well.

"Hopefully there will be something by the end of the week. I am still looking for new players."

And Robson added: "I am aware that there has been speculation about his wages being a stumbling block, particularly with the chairman being abroad at the moment."

Robson had previously admitted that he had made a bid for the player, who has suffered a frustrating time at Goodison Park since his move two years ago.

He arrived on the back of a successful spell at Southampton, where he had broken into the England squad.

His 76 appearances for Everton, including 51 starts, have brought him just 13 goals and he has fallen down the pecking order.

Robson said: "I've got a couple of things in the pipeline that are very close.

"Hopefully in the next 24 or 48 hours we can move forward with that."

[podsufc]

just been paraded on the pitch. good signing imho, if he comes back to form. once hulse is back to full fitness, i cant see a better frontline in the league