Former England striker James Beattie could stand in Oxford United’s way of progressing in the FA Cup after joining Accrington Stanley.

United travel to the Crown Ground for the second-round tie on Saturday, December 1.

And the 34-year-old former Southampton and Everton forward, who signed as player-coach on Friday, made it clear he intends to make an impact on the pitch for Stanley.

Beattie, who has scored 134 goals in more than 450 games, has agreed a deal that will initially run to January as he links up with former Blackburn teammate Leam Rich-ardson.

“Primarily I’m here to do my stuff on the pitch, and then oversee what Leam wants me to oversee,” said Beattie, who was released by Sheffield United in the summer. “I’m here to help them and I’ll do all I can to help them.”

Beattie, who won five England caps, has not scored a first-team goal since October 2009 when he was at Stoke City.

And he added: “I saw this as a challenge. The primary objective is to get back playing and get some minutes under my belt, but then if I can help the coaching staff here, who have been great in accepting me, that will be a bonus.”