Armstrong sends message of support to John Hartson

LANCE Armstrong has sent a message of support to former Premiership footballer and fellow cancer sufferer John Hartson.

Father-of-three Hartson remains in a critical but stable condition after emergency surgery on his brain.

The former Arsenal and Celtic striker had been told testicular cancer had spread to his brain and lungs earlier this week and is undergoing treatment at Morriston Hospital in Swansea.

"My thoughts go out to John Hartson," wrote Armstrong on his Twitter feed.

"Livestrong, John! We're pulling for you! Folks, hold him in your thoughts and prayers please."

Armstrong was diagnosed with testicular, lung and brain cancer in the mid-1990s but returned to cycling to win seven consecutive Tour de France titles.

After four years out of the saddle, he staged a shock comeback this year and sits third in the general classification in the current Tour de France.