Ashton on recovery

  • by Matthew O'Greel
  • Monday, 17th September 2007

Dean Ashton has expressed his delight after scoring against Middlesbrough - but concedes he is far from fully fit yet.

The 23-year-old striker scored the last of West Ham's goals in their 3-0 win over Middlesbrough on Saturday, making it his first competitive strike since scoring in the 2006 FA Cup Final.

Yet he openly admits that it could take several months for his to feel fully fit once again - despite the close attention of former Hammers physio John Green, who had been working extensively with Ashton during his rehabilitation.

"It's been a long, long time since I scored a Premiership goal so there were a lot of emotions when that one went in," he said. "Even though it was only from three yards out, it meant a lot.

"I just need to play games to improve the sharpness but there is more I can do in terms of the ankle. But it's not something which is just going to go away.

"I need to work for anything up to a year before I see that it is back to where it was. They are only little things but I have to keep working on it. I still see John Green regularly and work with him."

So whilst calls for Ashton's inclusion in Steve McClaren's next England squad may be a little premature, there is no doubt that the former Crewe and Norwich striker is well on the road to recovery.

However he may have to do without first choice striker partner Craig Bellamy for the next few weeks after the Welsh striker sustained a groin injury during Saturday's 3-0 win; new signing Henri Camara is likely to be the replacement.

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