Cap would ease Hartson's anguish

John Hartson wants to put the failed transfer to Rangers behind him

By BBC Wales' Gareth Blayney

" It was very difficult to deal with the disappointment, but you have to pick yourself up and just carry on."

Those are Wales striker John Hartson's words describing the heartbreaking experience of not joining Rangers for seven million pounds at the end of August.

After the Glasgow club announced Hartson had failed a medical, he did not travel with the Welsh squad to Belarus on 2 September for their World Cup qualifying match

But he has 'picked himself up' since then - during the past month he has scored six goals for Wimbledon.

I'm looking forward to playing at the Millennium Stadium for the first time

  John Hartson

It is possible that Hartson will win his 19th cap against Norway and the first since he came on as a substitute against Switzerland at The Racecourse a year ago, but he's taking nothing for granted.

Millennium stadium

" I'm hoping like everyone else I'll be in the team. I'm always proud to wear the Welsh shirt, and I'm looking forward to playing at the Millennium Stadium for the first time. The stadium has made an impression on everyone," he said.

Hartson thinks Wales could make an impression on Saturday afternoon because they are so familiar with OIe Gunnar Solsjkaer, Tore Andre Flo, Henning Berg and other players in the Norway squad who are with English clubs.

That would be very nice, but all I can do is try very hard

  John Hartson on scoring for Wales

" I think that will make it a little bit easier for us. Belarus had very good players, but we didn't know a lot about them. There are several very good teams in our group, so it's going to be difficult."

And if Hartson plays, he will be hoping to celebrate his first goal for Wales in Wales after scoring in Scotland in May 1997 and in Malta a year later.

" That would be very nice, but all I can do is try very hard," he conceded.