Ashton set for contract talks

West Ham striker Dean Ashton will meet club officials at the end of the week to start discussions over terms for a new contract at Upton Park.

The 24-year-old has two years left on his current deal and is thought to be on the radar of Manchester Untied, Portsmouth and Newcastle.

Hammers chief executive Scott Duxbury said: “The end of the season was the appropriate time to discuss such matters and to meet Dean Ashton and his representatives.

“We will sit down on Friday with a view to agreeing a new long-term contract to keep Dean Ashton at Upton Park.”