West Ham and England striker Dean Ashton today announced his retirement from professional football.

West Ham welcome back Carlton Cole from injury for tomorrow’s Barclays Premier League match at Hull.

THIS was supposed to be a story of one club continuing to climb out of a crisis and another hurtling headlong into one but Everton clearly had not read the script.

West Ham manager Gianfranco Zola is awaiting news on Herita Ilunga and Carlton Cole ahead of Sunday’s game with Everton.

Scott Parker will return for West Ham in their Premier League match against Aston Villa tomorrow after serving a one-game ban.

Scott Parker returns for West Ham against Arsenal on Sunday, after serving a one-match suspension for picking up five yellow cards.

West Ham are without the suspended Scott Parker for tomorrow’s Premier League match at Stoke.

West Ham have Herita Ilunga available for the Premier League clash against Liverpool after recovering from a jaw injury.

West Ham have concerns over midfielder Kieron Dyer’s hamstring ahead of the trip to Wigan.

Striker Alessandro Diamanti, the £6m new recruit from Livorno, has not signed in time for West Ham’s trip to Blackburn tomorrow.

West Ham midfielder Kieron Dyer is set to miss the Carling Cup clash against Millwall with tightness to a leg muscle.

TOTTENHAM boss Harry Redknapp insists his side have the belief to challenge the Barclays Premier League top four after victory over West Ham yesterday ensured their best start to a season since winning the double 1961.

TOTTENHAM boss Harry Redknapp has challenged Jermain Defoe to replace Cristiano Ronaldo as the Premier League’s top marksman after seeing the England striker beef himself up over the summer.

Carlton Cole is West Ham’s only fit senior striker for their opening Barclays Premier League match against Wolves.

Stoke manager Tony Pulis is becoming increasingly frustrated with agents as his attempts to bring in new players continue to stall.

Stoke are interested in signing West Ham’s England striker Dean Ashton.

Carlton Cole could make his first start for West Ham since returning from a six-week lay-off with a groin injury when Middlesbrough travel to Upton Park on Sunday.

West Ham striker Carlton Cole is back in the squad for the Barclays Premier League clash against Everton after recovering from a groin injury.

West Ham striker Carlton Cole is approaching a return from his groin injury but the Barclays Premier League clash against Liverpool may come too soon.

GIANFRANCO ZOLA’S first signing as West Ham manager is also proving to be his most significant.

West Ham manager Gianfranco Zola is ready to convince Matthew Upson he can achieve all his England ambitions at Upton Park.

West Ham manager Gianfranco Zola is waiting for updates on the fitness of midfield duo Scott Parker (groin) and Radoslav Kovac (thigh) ahead of Saturday's trip to Tottenham.

West Ham must make two enforced changes for Monday’s Barclays Premier League match against West Brom.

West Ham will be without midfielder Valon Behrami for the Barclays Premier League trip to Wigan tomorrow.

West Ham will be without midfielder Mark Noble for Sunday’s visit of Manchester City, as he serves a one-match suspension.

West Ham will give late fitness tests to defenders Valon Behrami and James Tomkins (both hamstring) ahead of the FA Cup fifth-round tie against Middlesbrough at Upton Park.

West Ham manager Gianfranco Zola has reported no fresh injuries ahead of Sunday’s clash with Manchester United at Upton Park.

West Ham manager Gianfranco Zola must decide whether to change a winning side in the Premier League match at Arsenal tomorrow.

West Ham manager Gianfranco Zola must decide whether to change a winning side in the Barclays Premier League match at Arsenal tomorrow.

West Ham have no fresh injury worries ahead of the visit of Fulham on Sunday.

West Ham chief executive Scott Duxbury insists manager Gianfranco Zola is under no pressure to sell his top stars in the January transfer window.

Keiron Dyer is unlikely to be risked for West Ham’s Premier League clash at home to Stoke tomorrow despite nearing a return to full fitness.

West Ham’s hopes of Premier League survival have been hit by the news Dean Ashton may miss the rest of the season through injury.

West Ham will still be without midfielder Kieron Dyer for Saturday's home clash with in-form Aston Villa.

West Ham midfielder Lee Bowyer remains a doubt for Sunday’s Premier League clash with Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.

West Ham midfielder Lee Bowyer is attempting to shake off a knock ahead of Monday’s Premier League clash against Tottenham at Upton Park.

Striker Carlton Cole has signed a new five-year contract with West Ham.

West Ham’s Diego Tristan faces a late fitness test ahead of Sunday’s Premier League clash at Sunderland.

West Ham will be without Valon Behrami for tomorrow’s trip to Middlesbrough in the Barclays Premier League as the midfielder needs a scan on a calf problem.

Gianfranco Zola has insisted West Ham do not fear Manchester United.

Carlton Cole is suspended for West Ham’s Barclays Premier League trip to Manchester United after being sent off against Arsenal at the weekend.

New signing Diego Tristan will not be included in the West Ham squad that takes on Hull on Sunday as the Spain international is not sufficiently match-fit.

West Ham 1 Bolton 3

West Ham look set to retain the team which defeated Fulham for Sunday's Barclays Premier League clash with Bolton.