30 games in 3 years - will Dean Ashton ever play again?

Dean Ashton - West Ham's best centre-forward for years and a man with the ability to play at the very highest level - says he will not be adding to his FIVE appearances for the club this season.

Ashton made 24 appearances for the Hammers in the 2007/08 season and missed the entire 2006/07 season through injury.

Meaning the England international has played less than 30 games for the club in three years.

Ashton says following his recent ankle surgery he is going to focus on getting ready for pre-season.

You've got to feel for a guy whose body is clearly letting him down.

Ashton said: "I think realistically pre-season is my target.

"I've just had an operation and the surgeons are pleased but obviously it's a setback I didn't really want.
I need to get over this operation, get myself properly fit and I don't want to rush back before I'm ready.
"It happened at a time when I just thought I was back, especially after scoring twice in the first game - but then I came down with another complaint with my ankle.
"If you ask players who have had ankle injuries, they'll know what I'm talking about when I say it's a difficult injury to get back from."

That's key - it is a difficult injury to get back from and there is clearly something wrong. I hope i'm wrong here but i just can't imagine the day when a fully-fit Ashton is tearing around Upton Park again slamming in pile-drivers from outside the box.

Anyone who saw his 24 appearances last season knows he was playing at half pace at best.

He looked slow, almost uninterested, worried about getting injured, and at times he looked sad.

Despite all that he still scored 11 times in 24 games - even at half pace - showing how devastating he could be if fully fit.

He also scored twice on his return to the team this term.

He is a class act - i just hope we can see him flying, firing and happy again.