Hartson may be derby sub

Forgotten man John Hartson tossed his hat into the ring for the Black Country derby action with a 90 minute run-out for Albion's reserves last night.

Hartson, who has been conspicuous by his absence for the last three games, could not prevent a more experienced Birmingham City second string grabbing a 4-1 win at The Hawthorns.

But with Nathan Ellington still suspended from Albion's front-line options, Hartson's full game lodges a challenge to at least reclaim a place on the bench from young Dutch forward Sherjill MacDonald against Wolves on Sunday.

Hartson's Hawthorns spell has veered from patchy to anonymous amid criticism from Baggies fans that the burly ex-Celtic man has not been fit enough to handle Championship football.