Beattie was expected to be out until early October after knee surgery, but could now be available for the visit of Cardiff a week tomorrow.

Last season's 22-goal top marksman has put himself back in the frame by working slavishly on his recovery.

Manager Blackwell said: "I hope James will be fit by the end of the coming week, which is four weeks ahead of schedule.

"The prognosis was that the earliest we could expect him back was the beginning of October. To have him available this soon is down to determination and desire. He's worked morning, noon and night to be part of what we are doing. It is sheer bloodymindedness that has brought him back."

The Blades boss feels his side as a whole must show a similar mentality at Blackpool tomorrow to see off one of the Championship's unfancied sides and build on the momentum of last week's convincing 3-0 home win over QPR.

Blackwell said: "I see it as a good test. It's all right playing the likes of Birmingham and QPR but the question in my mind is about how we will approach a team scrapping to stay up.

"If we think we are the bee's knees, we'll get turned over and have our backsides smacked. This is a different type of game."

But Blackwell believes his question will meet with the right response having welcomed the quality and drive of last week's display.

It was achieved with the same line-up as for the opening day defeat at Birmingham which meant, at face value, United went in without a recognised winger. But Blackwell, whose desire to attack down the flanks made it a surprise that David Cotterill was left on the bench, feels Greg Halford and Stephen Quinn are supplying the necessary threat.

He said: "Greg was an out-and-out winger at Colchester while Stephen also has the ability to play wide.

"It's about having competition and we have so much that I wouldn't want to be a first-team player who loses his shirt."

Inevitably, United have a number of players who are attracting interest with Chris Armstrong courted by Reading and Derek Geary a likely target for his former boss Neil Warnock at Crystal Palace.

"The only way you keep everyone happy is to keep winning," said Blackwell, who remains under no pressure to balance the books. "There have been one or two enquiries but I am in the enviable position of being able to keep players if our valuation is not met and not worry about the finances."

Skipper Chris Morgan is the subject of a late check after last week's head injury. If he is ruled out on medical advice, Ugo Ehiogu will deputise.



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