James Beattie remains at Accrington Stanley

Former England striker James Beattie has agreed to remain as a player-coach at League Two outfit Accrington Stanley until the end of the season.

The 34-year-old, who joined the club in November, has scored four goals in 10 games for the club. It had been thought that he would depart in January, but he has agreed fresh terms.

"It's fantastic to have a player like James Beattie with the quality he has one the pitch and the influence he has. It can only be a good thing that he's staying and hopefully it can help," Stanley boss Leam Richardson told reporters.

Beattie was released by Sheffield United at the end of the 2011-12 season.