Hartson condition still critical

Former Wales footballer John Hartson remains in a critical but stable condition after emergency surgery on his brain following a cancer diagnosis.

It is a week since the 34-year-old ex-Arsenal and Celtic player was told he had testicular cancer.

The disease spread to his brain and on Wednesday, doctors confirmed it was also present in his lungs.

Abertawe Bro Morgannwg (ABM) University NHS Trust said on Friday his condition remained critical but stable.

Father-of-three Hartson underwent surgery at Morriston Hospital in Swansea on Tuesday.

He was transferred from Singleton Hospital in the city to the larger Morriston hospital on Tuesday evening when his condition worsened.

Livestrong, John! We're pulling for you! Folks, hold him in your thoughts and prayers please Lance Armstrong via Twitter

Dr Gianfilippo Bertelli, a consultant medical oncologist, said earlier this week that a course of radiotherapy and chemotherapy would be started as soon as possible and that he could foresee many months of treatment.

Meanwhile, it is understood 37-year-old American cyclist Lance Armstrong, who won the Tour de France a record-breaking seven consecutive years, has sent a message to Hartson.

Armstrong was diagnosed with testicular, lung and brain cancer in the mid-1990s.

He made a shock return to the Tour this year after retiring from cycling.

Armstrong is reported as saying on the social networking site Twitter: "My thoughts go out to John Hartson.

"Livestrong, John! We're pulling for you! Folks, hold him in your thoughts and prayers please."

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