Blackburn Rovers boss Sam Allardyce is reportedly preparing a move to bring James Beattie to Ewood Park in January following the forward's alleged bust-up his Stoke City boss Tony Pulis.

Beattie and Pulis are alleged to have clashed in the dressing room following the Potters' 2-0 defeat to Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium last Saturday over arrangements for the club's Christmas party.

But having met Beattie and the rest of the Stoke squad this week, Pulis insists that hat he has "drawn a line" under the incident and that the 31 year-old will be considered for the game against Wigan this weekend.

However, Beattie's future at the Britannia Stadium remains uncertain, and according to the Daily Telegraph 'Big Sam' is keen to take advantage if the former Everton hitman becomes unsettled by the events of the past week.

Allardyce is aware Chelsea will most likely recall Argentine forward Franco di Santo from his loan spell next month and he has earmaked Beattie, who he tried to sign from Sheffield United last January, as the perfect replacement.

Rovers are understood to be willing to pay £3million to sign the hitman, who has netted nine goals in 30 appearances since joining Stoke and who began his career at Ewood Park before being sold to Southampton in 1998.