Football: Hartson sees chance to add to striking total

John Hartson's two goals in Saturday's 2-1 win over Aston Villa gave him 16 in 19 Premiership games this season. Tonight he can add to that total when the Hammers face Crystal Palace in their rearranged game at Upton Park.

Hartson has consistently hit the target despite the loss of his front- line partner Paul Kitson, who has been out since September following surgery to repair a torn groin muscle.

Tonight's re-run of a match abandoned because of floodlight failure with the score at 2-2 should involve West Ham's Australian winger Stan Lazaridis, due for his first Premiership outing since a groin injury in September. He will also be seeking a tonic after the Aussies' World Cup exit on the away-goal rule in their play-off with Iran last weekend.

Midfielder Frank Lampard, looks set to miss out because he is still suffering from the flu virus which caused his late withdrawal before the Villa game. Andy Impey also failed a late test on a toe injury on Saturday and is again a doubtful starter.

Palace are set to rule out their captain, Andy Roberts, who was replaced after just 15 minutes of Saturday's home defeat by Newcastle, while strikers Bruce Dyer and Michele Padovano are have injuries. The former Wolves pair Neil Emblen and Jamie Smith are standing by for starting places.

The West Ham manager, Harry Redknapp, yesterday denied reports that he wanted to buy Everton's pounds 3m-rated wing-back Andy Hinchcliffe.