Tests key to Hartson deal

Wimbledon today accepted an offer of up to £5 million from Coventry for John Hartson but the striker still has to pass a stringent medical.

The Wales international was due at the Premiership club later tonight and the transfer could be completed in time for him to play against his former club Arsenal on Saturday.

Weeks of wrangling between Wimbledon and Coventry was resolved when the First Division club agreed to a deal which could reach £5m and will be paid in instalments and linked to appearances.

The Sky Blues had struggled to find the fee and originally offered a down payment plus Cedric Roussel but the Belgian striker refused to move to the Dons.

Wimbledon are keen to cut their wage bill and have been flexible in negotiations for Hartson because he is their biggest earner.

But the deal would be just as significant for the striker who has been desperate to return to a top-flight club since the end of last season.

A £6m move to Tottenham collapsed last year when Hartson failed a medical and Scottish giants Rangers lost interest in him when they tested his fitness.

Wimbledon have always maintained there is nothing wrong with the 25-year-old's health and were confident he would pass all of Coventry's tests.

Hartson, who started his career at Luton before moving to Arsenal, cost Wimbledon £7.5m from West Ham in January 1999.

He has scored 21 goals in 54 games for the club.