SCOUSER who made his name at Newcastle and who is now a familiar face as a pundit at Premiership games on the south coast, Mickey Quinn is well placed to assess the merits of the striker who tops Everton's wanted list.
David Moyes is a known admirer of Southampton's James Beattie, a striker dubbed the new Alan Shearer.
And after failing in a last-ditch attempt to sign the 26-year-old (right) following the departure of Wayne Rooney earlier this season, the Goodison chief is expected to renew his interest in the England international when the transfer window reopens in January.
Quinn, the Huyton lad who was himself a scoring hero on Tyneside in the 80s, believes Everton are right to move quickly before Newcastle realise Beattie is the ideal long-term replacement for Shearer.
"I think James Beattie would be a great signing," he said..
"I am surprised Newcastle haven't shown more interest in him because I think he could be a ready-made replacement for Alan Shearer.
"He has got two good feet, is great in the air and leads the line well.
"So it doesn't surprise me that somebody like David Moyes is interested in him.
"He is definitely capable of providing you with 20 goals a season and under another England manager I am sure he would have had more caps.
"He has been unlucky on that score. But his chances could be helped by a move. I think he is primed to get away.
"Southampton have been struggling this year. Under Paul Sturrock at the end of last season they were playing the long ball game and now he has gone they need a little sorting out."
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