Injury proves a blessing for Ashton

Dean Ashton’s FA Cup season could have been ended by West Ham at Carrow Road in January, but thanks to a twist of fate and a timely injury he now has his sights set on firing the Hammers into the final.

Ashton, 22, officially missed Norwich’s third round tie against West Ham with a minor groin problem, which was detected just 24 hours before kick-off.