James Beattie is ready to seize his second chance if it comes at Everton tomorrow.

With Uwe Rosler out for at least a month following a groin operation, Beattie is well aware that this could be his big opportunity to establish himself.

He recently had a brief run in the side with Saints winning all three matches he started. But he was left out at Mansfield where Rosler scored his first goal for the club and the German kept the shirt against Middlesbrough.

But with Kevin Davies still short of full match fitness following a broken toe, Beattie is likely to be recalled at Goodison Park as reward for another impressive display after coming off the bench at home to Middlesbrough.

He said: "This will be a big chance for me, if I play. I thought I had done enough to stay in before but the gaffer did not think so.

"I did not play particularly well at Bradford although I did not see much of the ball. But I feel I have done OK this season.

"But I will just work even harder and make sure I stay in next time. Uwe is out for a month so it is a good opportunity to get a grip on the shirt and keep it!"

Beattie, who recently turned down a £3 million move to Crystal Palace, has not hit the net in a competitive match since the 2-0 win at Wimbledon in May of last year.

After being named Echo Player of the Season he found much of last season was a write-off through a succession of niggling injuries.

But after scoring three times in pre-season and looking sharp in his substitute appearances, he is now fully fit and firing and ready to recapture his momentum.

He said: "Last season was stop-start but I feel good now. I got a good reception from the fans when I came on against Middlesbrough which gave me an emotional lift and helps you to give that bit more.

"It is always hard at Everton who will want to put right their bad result against Ipswich but we have done a lot better away from home recently. We got criticised for the way we played at Bradford - but not by the Saints fans. As long as we win the game it does not matter."

Beattie though faces competition for the shirt from Davies who looked strong and sharp for the reserves on Monday in his first game since the toe injury against Coventry almost seven weeks earlier.

Goodison Park has been a happy hunting ground for him having scored BBC's Goal of the Season there during his first spell at the club and making his second debut there last season. He said: "Everton has special memories for me. It is still the best goal I have scored and hopefully I'll have a chance of playing some part in the game."