Beattie set to face old pals

Everton striker James Beattie returns his old stomping ground on Sunday when the Toffees take on Southampton at St Mary’s.

Beattie will lead Everton’s attack against his old club, who have used the £6m (€8.7m) from his sale to bolster their relegation-threatened squad.

Everton will make a late decision whether their newest player, Spanish loanee Mikel Arteta, can be involved as the midfielder recovers from a knee injury which stopped him figuring in Wednesday’s win over Norwich.

Midfielder Steve Watson is still out with a stomach muscle problem and is now due to see a specialist, while Leon Osman is also likely to miss the game with a knee injury.

Provisional squad: Martyn, Hibbert, Yobo, Stubbs, Weir, Pistone, Naysmith, McFadden, Carsley, Cahill, Kilbane, Bent, Beattie, Chadwick, Wright, Ferguson, Arteta.