SAINTS fans have been told: Don't waste your time booing James Beattie on Sunday!

Beattie, the former darling of the St Mary's stands, returns to the south coast for the first time since he joined Everton for £6m at the beginning of the transfer window.

While Peter Crouch has emerged from Beattie's shadow to win over any critics, the ex-Saints No 9 has hardly set the world alight at Goodison Park with just one deflected goal in the FA Cup against Sunderland from his five outings so far.

Manager David Moyes has admitted that it could take Beattie until next season to reach the fitness levels he would like, and the player has completed 90 minutes just once for his new club - in the 1-0 home loss to Charlton.

Beattie was taken off in the 76th minute of Wednesday's home clash with Norwich - two minutes before his replacement Marcus Bent helped set up the only goal of the game.

While the former England international will attract plenty of pre-match headlines, Saints fans are hoping the St Mary's crowd concentrates on supporting Harry Redknapp's men rather than baiting their one-time hero.

Dave Ford, from the Fair Oak Supporters Club, said: "Beattie will get a mediocre reception.

"He did well for us but we need all the supporters to get right behind the team rather than jeering Beattie.

"We're in big trouble - I have never said this before but I'm really worried we could go down."

Steve Godwin, chairman of the True Saints Association, said: "I hope Beattie gets a good reception - he gave us seven good years service.

"We were good for him and he was good for us.

"I don't think he should get a rough ride - I wish him well."

Nick Illingsworth, who edits the Ugly Inside webzine, added: "Beattie will get a muted reception.

"It was right for the player and the club that we parted company when we did.

"We only paid £1m and sold him for £6m, so we did good business out of him."