It is starting to look as if West Ham striker Dean Ashton could be forced to retire from the game at just 25-years-old.
The former Norwich forward broke his left ankle while training with the England squad in 2006 and has been unable to recover from the injury.
Hammer boss Gianfranco Zola had this to say on his situation: “When something like this happens, it is very much personal. Me as a manager I am here to make sure I can give him all the support he needs. I understand that it is quite a difficult time for him.”
The Italian is hopeful Ashton will return to the game though, he is also quoted as saying: “Until someone tells me he is not going to make it, I am still confident he is going to come back,
“For the boy and for us we hope he will make it. I can’t say more than that.”
Ashton started his career at Cheshire club Crewe and became the youngest player ever to represent the club when he made his debut as a 16-year-old. His performances with the Railwaymen led the likes of Arsenal to enquire about his services but he opted to stay at Crewe.
After well over 150 appearances for Crewe, averaging over a goal every three games, Ashton made the switch to newly promoted Premier League side Norwich City. Despite the Canaries relegation he managed to score a decent haul of goals in his first Premier League season and was by far their best player.
He stuck with Norwich after they were relegated to the Championship before making a £7million switch to West Ham. His career was supposed to go from strength to strength but following his ankle injury for England his time at Upton Park has been heavily interrupted. He did manage to play 35 games during the 2007/08 season and scored 11 goals that campaign. He also started the following season well and scored a brace on the opening day and it was looking as if he may finally be able to put his injury nightmare behind him. However, a sprained ankle in Zola’s first training session has kept him out of action ever since – over a year ago – and it is now feared he may be unable to continue his playing career.
According to reports the club officials at West Ham have accepted he is unlikely to ever play again, although no official statement has been made. Sources say an announcement is likely to be made later this month with regard to his future. If true, as it appears to be, it is a great shame for Ashton and indeed English football. He was a very talented striker with exceptional finishing ability who could well have been a major part of Fabio Capello’s England plans had he not been suffering injury problems.
Written by Gareth Freeman, a sports writer promoting grand national tips and horse racing tips for today for Betfair.
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Nasty thing to happen at such a young age. Good to see that he still has confidence in himself though.