KEVIN KEEGAN has warned his Manchester City team not to become obsessed with the striker he likens to Alan Shearer.

The Blues face Southampton tomorrow knowing that James Beattie is the home side's match-winner but with a warning in their ears from Keegan that the England hitman is not the only danger.

"James Beattie is an excellent striker and everyone said after he got nearly 30 goals last season that he wouldn't do it this time, but he is knocking them in again," noted the City chief

"Whenever you see him, the reason he gets his goals is that he is genuine. He just keeps going.

"He reminds me a little bit of Alan Shearer in that respect, and Alan started at Southampton.

"We have got to stop him but if we think he is the only one we have to stop, then we are in for a rude awakening.

"They are a good team and very well disciplined at the back where they do not give too much away.

"If we are going to get anything from the game then we have to work very, very hard and be inventive at the right time, and then we are going to have to be clinical."

Beattie has so far contributed seven of Southampton's 10 Premiership goals but it is at the other end of the pitch where Saints have been even more impressive.

They have three clean sheets on the trot and have conceded only two goals in a game once this season - on the opening day at Leicester. Five top-flight visitors to St Mary's this season have managed just one goal!

Steve McManaman will be back from injury for City to try to prise a way through the home defence but Shaun Wright-Phillips is missing as he starts a three-match ban.

Growing up

"Shaun is suspended and we will miss him because he has done a terrific job for us," accepted Keegan. "He is one of those players for whom you always have to find a place in your team, because wherever you put him, he gives you something.

"He is maturing very quickly and his finishing is getting better and better and he will continue to improve because he enjoys working hard.

"We have a strong squad for eventualities like this and that showed again on Wednesday night when Jon Macken came on and scored.

"We have no serious injuries apart from Nick Weaver, who we are assessing. So we go down to Southampton in good heart."

Keegan may decide to keep Richard Dunne at the heart of his defence after the Irishman's near man-of-the-match display in the Carling Cup tie at QPR, where he replaced David Sommeil. Claudio Reyna may also come in for Paul Bosvelt and striker Paulo Wanchope can expect a recall to the bench.

Southampton will welcome back Kevin Phillips, who has served a three-match ban and should go straight into the side.

"It is a bit like the Chelsea game last weekend in that it is a place where we didn't do ourselves justice last season," Keegan added.

"It is a tough place to go to and we have to prove that what happened last year wasn't typical City.

"I think we can do that. Saints did the double against us last season so we know what we are up against.

"We battled and scraped on Tuesday night at QPR and we are going to have to do that again but also play better than we did."

Key opponent: James Beattie - unfancied at international level, but his league form is superb.

Last season: Southampton 2 Manchester City 0

BETFRED:

Southampton 5/4 Draw 12/5 Man City 7/4

Correct Score
Man City To Win
1-0 7/1
2-0 14/1
2-1 11/1
3-0 33/1
3-1 22/1
3-2 28/1
4-0 100/1
4-1 66/1

1st/Last Goalscorer In Match
Nicolas Anelka 11/2
Robbie Fowler 15/2
Paolo Wanchope 8/1
Jonathan Macken 10/1
Antoine Sibierski 11/1
Trevor Sinclair 14/1
Steve McManaman 16/1
Eyal Berkovic 16/1
Michael Tarnat 22/1
Claudio Reyna 22/1

Anelka & Man City 2-0 75/1
Fowler & Man City 3-1 125/1
Sinclair & Man City 3-0 300/1

Odds subject to fluctuation. Other odds available on request. For all the latest odds ring BetFred on 0800 73 11 210.

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