Injury ends Ashton’s career

WEST HAM and England striker Dean Ashton yesterday called time on his career at the age of 26.

Ashton’s retirement, following a long-term ankle problem which he initially sustained when training with England in August 2006, was met with a plea from the players’ association not to pursue a legal claim against Shaun Wright-Phillips.

PFA chief executive Gordon Taylor is hopeful there will be no action against Wright-Phillips, then a Chelsea player, for a challenge made in an England session in August 2006.

Ashton recovered to make 31 league appearances in 2007-08 but made his last appearance for the Hammers in September 2008 after renewed problems.

Ashton joined West Ham for a club record £7.25million in January 2006 after making his name with Crewe and Norwich. He made a good first impression, scoring the goals which took the Hammers to the FA Cup final, although he failed make Sven-Goran Eriksson’s 2006 World Cup squad.