Baby on the way for critically-ill Hartson

FORMER Celtic star John Hartson, who is currently battling cancer, is to become a father again, it has been revealed.

The girlfriend of the 34-year-old former Celtic striker – who is critically ill in hospital after testicular cancer spread to his brain and lungs – is said to be four months pregnant with the couple's second child.

Sarah McManus, 37, from Inverness, last year gave birth to their daughter Lena. She has been at Mr Hartson's bedside since his diagnosis around ten days ago.

Ms McManus' mother, who lives in Inverness, is staying at the couple's home in West Glamorgan, Wales and looking after baby Lena.

She confirmed the pregnancy with a brief statement: "They are having another baby, due later this year."

However, a family friend added: "It was all going so well – they were delighted when Lena was born last year and John was thrilled when Sarah said that she was pregnant again.

"Now John is fighting for his life and Sarah is worried sick about him.

"But he is a fighter and he will give this everything he has got. Having a baby on the way will be even more of a motivation."

Hartson, who also played for Premiership clubs Arsenal and West Ham, already has two children, Rebecca, ten, and Joni, six, by his ex-wife Lowri.

The couple split after 12 years when he was photographed with Ms McManus in 2005.

He is currently receiving radiotherapy treatment at Swansea's Morriston Hospital after emergency surgery last week to remove the pressure on his brain.

It was then that doctors discovered the cancer had also spread to his lungs.

Mr Hartson is said to have ignored a lump in his testicles earlier this year.

The cancer was picked up after he visited Swansea's Singleton Hospital suffering from headaches.