BURLY Welsh targetman John Hartson will be named in Mark Hughes' squad for his side's Euro 2004 qualifying game against Serbia/Montenegro - but he faces a race against time to be fit.

The Celtic striker is still slowly recovering from a close-season back operation but Parkhead chief Martin O' Neill is confident Hartson will be raring to go for the new season's big kick-off.

And that is music to the ears of Wales boss Hughes as he prepares for the August 20 clash in Belgrade.

O'Neill said: "John probably needs more fitness work than most players after coming back from an operation but he has had no problems and is getting there. He has had no reaction and that's the most important thing."

Hartson has banged in four goals in Wales' last five outings and is Hughes' key man so he'll wait until the 11th hour before making his final decision on the 28-year-old striker.

Gwent-raised pair Nathan Blake of Wolverhampton Wanderers and Cardiff City's Robert Earnshaw are waiting in the wings if Hartson doesn't make it - but Hughes would be forced to change his tried and trusted game-plan that has sent Wales to the top of Group Nine.

Defender Mark Delaney will also be named in Hughes' squad announced today - but the Aston Villa right-back is still recovering from an operation after suffering minor cruciate knee ligament damage.

Villa Park boss David O'Leary admitted the 27-year-old had a minor reaction to the surgery following Villa's recent pre-season tour of Scandinavia.

"It's a race against time for John and Mark," Hughes opened-up.

"But each of them are ahead in their fitness programme and I am obviously hopeful that they will be able to join the squad.

"They are both valuable members of our team but I'd rather they have some first-team domestic action behind them before risking them in an international match of such importance."

Hughes could face a right-back predicament if Delaney doesn't report fit and ready. Young Rob Edwards or Matthew Jones could have been used as cover but they themselves have been knocked-out by injury.

Villa starlet Edwards has undergone surgery on his troublesome ankle problem while Leicester City man Jones faces four months on the sidelines with a injury in his back.