Hartson ready to lead Dons attack

John Hartson is back from suspension for today's game against Watford at Selhurst Park and ready to get his teeth into Wimbledon's battle to bounce straight back up to the Premiership. The Welsh striker was suspended following his sending-off at Bradford at the end of last season.

John Hartson is back from suspension for today's game against Watford at Selhurst Park and ready to get his teeth into Wimbledon's battle to bounce straight back up to the Premiership. The Welsh striker was suspended following his sending-off at Bradford at the end of last season.

"I always enjoy playing against Watford as I used to play for Luton and the Watford fans always give me a bit of stick," Hartson said. "Hopefully we can repeat the two victories we had over them last season."

The defender Alan Kimble is a slight doubt with a back injury while Dean Blackwell could be added to the Wimbledon squad. The Watford striker Tommy Smith could celebrate his call-up to the England Under-21 squad by being handed a start.

The Bolton manager, Sam Allardyce, is desperate for a victory as he prepares his side for a derby with Preston at the Reebok Stadium.

Allardyce, who spent part of his playing career with North End, was aggrieved not to get the Preston manager's job in the early 1990s. He said: "I like to think I have proved a few people wrong. This is a very big game for us and a particularly big game for me."

Fulham are able to call on a full-strength squad as they aim to make it three wins out of three against Stockport at Craven Cottage, but County have injury worries with Ian Lawson, Shane Nicholson, Carlo Nash and Jarkko Wiss definitely out.

Lee Carsley returns for Blackburn against Norwich on what is sure to be an emotional Ewood Park afternoon following the death of Jack Walker.

Sheffield Wednesday are without Wim Jonk for their trip to Grimsby. The Dutch midfielder could be out for up to eight weeks with a groin problem.

The caretaker manager, John Cockerill, takes charge of the Mariners following the dismissal of Alan Buckley, but he is without Tony Gallimore, Wayne Burnett, Peter Handyside, Richard Smith and Kevin Donovan.