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.