Norwich City have confirmed that former Welsh international John Hartson has agreed to join the club on a month's loan.
The 32-year-old had fallen down the striker pecking order at West Bromwich Albion and has agreed a deal with the Canaries that could be extended until December 31.
With Jamie Cureton out for at least six weeks with an ankle problem, it is hoped that Hartson can provide the Canaries with some much-needed firepower to steer them away from the relegation zone.
City have gone more than six hours without a goal and caretaker boss Jim Duffy has moved for Hartson with Chris Brown yet to score a competitive goal for the Canaries and David Strihavka struggling to adapt to the hustle and bustle of Championship football.
With Dion Dublin out with a back injury, Duffy revealed that he wanted to replace that know-how and moved for Hartson, who scored 14 goals in 51 internationals for Wales.
“I'm delighted to sign a player of John's experience,” said Duffy, who has been put in charge of first team affairs while the club board draw up a shortlist of possible replacements for Peter Grant.
“The situation we are in demands players who know how to operate in the positions they play.
“John fits the bill, is a strong character and has a proven track record at the highest level.”
Hartson almost joined Swansea City at the start of September after West Brom manager Tony Mowbray said the former Arsenal striker could leave the club.
Mowbray insists that he never had any problem with Hartson but just wanted to use more mobile strikers in his forward line.
“I have had a lot of conversations with John and as I have said in the past I have got no personal problem with him,” said Mowbray.
“He is a good guy and I like him a lot. But at this moment he is short of the physical demands I put on strikers in my team.
“That doesn't mean other people won't use his assets and attributes and see them as a strength.”
“John is frustrated at not playing because he wants to play football,” added Mowbray. “There is a desire from both parties to resolve the situation but it is not easy as it might seem because of the contract John has got here.
“Any deal has got to suit both parties for it to happen and in the mean time John has to get on with it and work as hard.”
The City board have managed to thrash out a deal that suits both clubs and Hartson is expected to be available for the Canaries' crucial home clash against Bristol City a week on Saturday.
Hartson started his career at Luton Town as a trainee before being signed by Arsenal in a ?1.5m deal.
The Welshman found first team chances hard to come by at Highbury and then West Ham manager Harry Redknapp swooped in a ?3.5m deal.
Hartson helped keep the Hammers in the Premiership notching 33 goals in 73 appearances at Upton Park before Wimbledon took him to Selhurst Park in a ?7.5m deal in January 1999.
Hartson then had a brief spell at Coventry before Martin O'Neill took the striker to Celtic where he was an instant hit with the Parkhead faithful.
He helped the Glasgow giants to three league titles, two FA Cups, one league cup whilst also starring in Celtic's Uefa Cup run in 2003 where Celtic went down to a 3-2 defeat in the final to Jose Mourinho's Porto.
In 2006 Hartson moved to West Brom for an undisclosed fee but the switch never quite worked out and when Tony Mowbray was brought in for Bryan Robson, he found first team opportunities limited.
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