GORDON STRACHAN has played down the south coast clamour for James Beattie to receive an England call-up.

The Saints striker's double sent him clear at the top of the Premiership scoring charts as Birmingham were brushed aside 2-0 on Saturday.

They were the 24-year-old's 10th and 11th goals in the last eight league games and chants of 'Beattie for England' rang around St Mary's.

But the Saints boss believes it could be to Beattie's disadvantage to be included in England coach Sven-Goran Eriksson's squad too soon.

Strachan said: "If you get there too early and are not ready then it can be to your disadvantage and he wants to go in when he is really ready.

"He has got a great level of fitness and I thought his performance was his best all-round game for us this season, but he needs time.

"It is hard to take the attention away from him at the moment. There was negative attention three months ago and the turnaround is all down to him.

"He has a good technique, but he is good mentally and has great confidence in his ability.

"Hopefully when his time comes he will be ready for it.

"He still has a fair bit to go as big players take longer to develop, but he is a good pro."

With 11 league goals, Beattie has easily out-shone his England rivals so far this season.

Michael Owen has scored eight, Teddy Sheringham five, Alan Smith two, while Kevin Phillips and Emile Heskey have just one apiece.

The striker has even reportedly received compliments from singer Holly Valance and Strachan joked: "We can't sell Beattie or there would be panic with the manager's wife and the coaches' wives!"

Birmingham boss Steve Bruce was also full of praise for Beattie, saying: "The lad has done tremendously well over the last couple of weeks and is a great threat from crosses."

Saints' victory extended their unbeaten home record and takes them to eighth in the table, but Strachan played down suggestions his team are heading for Europe.

"There is a long way to go until the end of the season and we've not had any injuries yet," he said.

"All we are doing is looking forward to the teams immediately above us and that means preparing for the game against Newcastle next week.

"When the opportunity came along to play today then we did very well and I thought we deserved a win.

"I'm getting a lot of satisfaction from the way my team are playing and we're all enjoying things at the moment."

Left-back Marcus Hall has begun a loan spell at Stoke City. His first team chances have been limited by the outstanding form of Wayne Bridge.