Sheffield United boss Bryan Robson has confirmed he is interested in signing former Saints star James Beattie.

The Blades, preparing for their return to the Coca-Cola Championship, have made a £4m bid for the Everton striker.

That is £2m less than the Toffees paid Saints to sign the one-time England international in January 2006.

Beattie netted 68 top flight goals for Saints in 161 starts plus a further 41 from the bench.

His greatest season was 2002/03 when he blasted 23 Premiership goals - winning a senior England call along the way.

Since signing for Everton, Beattie, 29, has scored 13 league goals in 51 starts plus a further 25 sub appearances.