SAINTS striker James Beattie has today been romantically linked with a stunning soap star.

The 26-year-old became the city's most eligible bachelor when he split with his long-term girlfriend Sarah in the summer.

But now he is said to be keen on actress Amy Nuttall after meeting the Emmerdale star at a party in Manchester.

The Southampton ace would be following in the footsteps of former favourite Matt Le Tissier by falling for a celebrity from the soap set in the Yorkshire Dales.

Amy plays Chloe Atkinson in the programme, starring alongside Le Tissier's former fiancee Emily Symons.

Le Tiss popped the question when Emily was in pantomime as Goldilocks at Southampton's Mayflower Theatre at the end of 1998. Emily, who made her name as hairdresser Marilyn Fisher in the popular TV soap Home and Away, left Australia to come and live in the city.

Beattie, who is currently out injured with a fractured toe, reportedly met Amy at a cast member's birthday bash.

Reports said they have made plans to meet each other again.

Many Emmerdale actresses have links to Premiership players.

Birmingham midfielder David Dunn is engaged to Sammy Winward, who plays Katie Addyman, while Liverpool winger Harry Kewell married Sheree Murphy, who formerly starred as Tricia Dingle.

In June, the Daily Echo revealed how £15,000-a-week Beattie had split with Sarah after two years.

Aussie pop princess Holly Valance, also a former soap star, has been among those previously voicing their admiration for the footballer.

As well as being the face of men's fashion store Burton, Beattie is the local ambassador for low-cost airline Flybe.

A spokeswoman for Emmerdale said: "They were within a group of friends during the night but they did spent quite a lot of time speaking to each other during the evening.

"Amy has said that they got on well together."

Beattie's agent, Phil Smith, said he believed his client was currently single.