OUR thoughts are with John Hartson and his family after it was confirmed that the former Hammers striker is battling testicular cancer that has spread to his brain.

Hartson was diagnosed with the illness after he went to Singleton Hospital in Swansea suffering from severe headaches.

The 34-year-old ex-Wales striker and father of three is said to have begun a course of radiotherapy and chemotherapy treatment yesterday.

Hartson moved to Glasgow in 2001 after being signed by then Celtic manager Martin O'Neill for £6m and spent five years at Parkhead, scoring 89 goals.

He was voted player-of-the-year by his fellow professionals and the Scottish Football Writers' Association.

During his international career, he scored 14 goals before stepping down in February 2006 to concentrate on his club football.

Hartson made his Wales debut in March 1995 in an away match against Bulgaria, often leading the line as a lone striker, until his last game in November 2005 against Cyprus.

He began his senior career at Luton in 1992 as a 17-year-old and the player's bustling style soon caught the eye of bigger clubs.

Arsenal paid £2.5m for Hartson in January 1995.

A £3.3m move to Upton Park followed two years later, although that stay was marred by an altercation with team-mate Eyal Berkovic.

In 1999 Wimbledon paid a whopping £7.5m for Hartson, while spells at Coventry, Celtic, West Bromwich Albion and Norwich - on loan - followed before he announced his retirement as a player in February 2008.

When the 6ft 1in target man retired he said his biggest regret was not having played for his beloved Swansea City, the local club he had supported since a boy.

Since his retirement as a player, Hartson has proved himself an articulate and knowledgeable football commentator for media outlets, including the BBC and Setanta, since hanging up his boots last year.

Hartson seemed destined to move into football management and has been linked with vacant posts at the likes of Falkirk, Swansea and East Stirlingshire.

Big John will always be remembered by West Ham fans for the major role he played in helping Hammers to avoid relegation at the end of the 1996-97 season. Signed in February from Arsenal at the same time fellow new signing Paul Kitson arrived from Newcastle, they scored the goals that saw Harry Redknapp's side preserve their Premier League status against all the odds.

Now we wish John all the best in the biggest battle of his life.