Allardyce admits interest in Beattie

McCarthy should complete a move to West Ham over the weekend once work permit complications are overcome, and that has left Allardyce considering a replacement. Beattie is free to leave Stoke after falling out of favour under Tony Pulis this season and the 31-year-old would relish a move back to Ewood Park, where he started his career. The Potters are believed to want around £3million for the former Everton man and that asking price, plus his £37k a week wages, could price Rovers out of a move. Allardyce, though, admits Beattie is a player he would like to sign if a deal can be done. He told the Lancashire Telegraph: "James Beattie is obviously a former Blackburn player and if Benni goes he might be one that we look at. We know that many players are available and we would see where we go with the finance that is available and what is available for that finance. "Negotiations are tentative at the moment until Benni is absolutely certain that he is leaving us and then we will see what we can do. We may bring another player in, we may not. "But if we do bring another player in he will have to have an immediate impact, because if not there is no point as this squad is on the up anyway." David Dunn was at Blackburn the first time Beattie was there and the midfielder reckons his former team-mate would be a great signing in this window. He said: "Benni is a top player and has scored a lot of good goals for the club. Good luck to him. He has gone and we have a few new faces in. The rumours are we might bring another striker in which will be good. "I have not spoke to James Beattie much about the rumours. This would probably be Beatts choice anyway. It is the other stuff that could be the stumbling block. Who knows he is a great player and a player who would do well in the side. It would go down well with the fans. It is always good to have local players in the side."