ROY KEANE has earmarked Sheffield United striker James Beattie as a leading candidate to replace injured talisman Kenwyne Jones in the Sunderland forward line.

Despite being told by the Bramall Lane board that he does not have to sell, Blades manager Kevin Blackwell could be tempted into cashing in at the right price.

And Keane, worried that it will be well into next year before Jones returns from a serious knee injury, is ready to turn to Beattie as an experienced replacement.

Ideally the Sunderland manager would have liked to draft in Peter Crouch, although it appears the Liverpool striker is destined for a return to Portsmouth this summer.

And that has left Keane looking for a viable alternative to lead the line in the absence of Jones.

Beattie, 30, scored 22 goals in his first season in the Championship with Sheffield United last season, despite a disappointing campaign in which Bryan Robson was replaced.

Beattie's form brought interest from a number of clubs, including Middlesbrough, and Fulham are understood to be putting together a package aimed at luring the forward to London.

Sunderland, however, are aware Boro are now concentrating on adding midfielders to their ranks and are hopeful they can win the race for Beattie.

Financially there should not be a problem, although Keane will be determined not to pay over the odds for a player in the Football League.

Sunderland are hopeful of landing Beattie for around £4m, but Sheffield United placed an £8m price tag on his head at the end of last season.

Keane is on the look out for two new strikers before the new season, with Tottenham's Darren Bent one of his leading targets.

It had been suggested that Sunderland would lose out to Everton for Bent, but the Toffees have no interest in the £16.1m man.