Ashton in England doubt

  • by Matthew O'Greel
  • Saturday, 6th October 2007

Dean Ashton is almost certainly out of England's forthcoming European Championship qualifiers after picking up a knock in today's 1-0 defeat at Aston Villa.

Ashton - who played until the end of the game despite picking up the injury - is believed to have suffered medial knee ligament damage which could keep him out of action for several weeks, depending upon the severity of the injury.

The news will come as a huge blow to Alan Curbishley who is already without Craig Bellamy and Bobby Zamora, leaving him with just Carlton Cole and loan signing Henri Camara as fully-fit strikers.

Ashton - who has made just 24 appearances for the Hammers since joining the club a year and nine months ago - was set to make his international debut last August before breaking an ankle in training.

He was named in the latest England squad by Steve McClaren yesterday for the first time since sustaining the original injury 13 months ago.

West Ham United's next game is the Premier League fixture against newly-promoted Sunderland at the Boleyn Ground on Sunday, 21st October.

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