Dean Ashton to retire

[Gené and Tonic]

http://www.football365.com/story/0,17033,8...5508708,00.html

And the follow-up:

http://goal.com/en/news/9/england/2009/08/...-dismisses-dean

Would be shocked if it did happen, he's still fairly young (26) and I never considered his injury to be that bad

[Father Ted]

I read about him in the papers yesterday. Apparently he's been told that if he carries on then he will be in a wheelchair when he's older.

[dandannieldanok]

I read about him in the papers yesterday. Apparently he's been told that if he carries on then he will be in a wheelchair when he's older.

Yes I read that, if that's the truth then hardly a surprise he's going to quit, I wouldn't want to spend the rest of my life in a wheelchair if I could avoid it.

[Uncle Albert]

Yes I read that, if that's the truth then hardly a surprise he's going to quit, I wouldn't want to spend the rest of my life in a wheelchair if I could avoid it.

I think the same thing could be said for most people.

[Radovan's Caravan]

Yes I read that, if that's the truth then hardly a surprise he's going to quit, I wouldn't want to spend the rest of my life in a wheelchair if I could avoid it.

We all end up in wheelchairs eventually...

[AjcW]

Suppose its similar to freddie flintoff really, I bet doctors have told him to quit many times before.

[Radovan's Caravan]

Skilfull enough even for my tastes. And he and his peroxided thatch move at glacial speed...

[Webbo]

We all end up in wheelchairs eventually...

I don't think that's strictly true.

[Basingstoke Fox]

Harsh on West Ham who could well lose Davenport through retirement too.

[Koke]

West Ham striker Dean Ashton is expected to officially announce his retirement from professional football by the end of this week

Ashton has not played a first-team game for 14 months and the Hammers have resigned themselves to losing the 25-year-old, who has struggled to fully recover from an ankle injury suffered at England training in August 2006.

It is believed West Ham are likely to seek compensation in the form of a £7 million insurance claim against the Football Association after medical experts revealed the striker has little chance of competing at the highest level again.

The player may also take action, though it is not certain whether it would be against the FA or Shaun Wright-Phillips - whose tackle caused the initial ankle injury.

Ashton was a product of the famous Crewe Alexandra youth system, which saw manager Dario Gradi bring through the likes of Daviud Platt Danny Murphy, Robbie Savage and Neil Lennon. After playing more then 200 games for the Railwaymen, he became Norwich City's record signing when he joined the Canaries for £3 million in 2005. A string of impressive performances and 17 goals in 44 league appearances earned him a move to West Ham in January 2006 for £7.25 million, where he became a first-team regular.

He has scored 19 goals for the Hammers in 43 games, but for the past three-and-a-half years, the striker has found fitness hard to come by. The ankle break at England training ruled him out for the whole 2006-07 campaign and though he did return, scoring 11 goals in 35 appearances in the 2007-08 campaign, he broke down in new manager Gianfranco Zola's first training session in September 2008.

England boss Fabio Capello rated Ashton highly and tipped him to make a big impact on the international stage, handing him his Three Lions' debut in a friendly against Trinidad and Tobago last summer.

Zola has persistently refused to write-off Ashton but it is understood that the striker has had to admit defeat because of chronic degeneration in the ankle. It is believed he cannot twist or turn or take any impact on the joint and is also in constant discomfort. He has also been given a grave warning that he may be unable to walk properly if he continues to try and play football and may require further surgery in any case.

Just last Friday, Zola reiterated the view that he still hoped Ashton would recover but after taking advice from specialists including Dutch surgeon Niek van Dyke, who originally operated on Ashton, West Ham have reluctantly accepted that the striker's career is over.

The FA beefed up its insurance cover after a dispute with Newcastle United following Michael Owen's injury in the last World Cup but the Ashton claim will have to be dealt with by the previous company.

The announcement is a big blow to West Ham, who have become heavily reliant on Carlton Cole to provide their firepower, though the club will be hoping to recoup some money through its compensation claim, which would likely be used to bolster Zola's attacking options.

Only 25 years old. Such a shame, really.

[Joe.]

Extremely disappoiting end for a very good player. He's always struggled with injuries though, so it's not particularly surprising.

[Fox92]

Very, very sad. Good player he is.

[StanSP]

One of his last goals - a superb overhead kick against Man Utd I think. Not a bad way to go out I guess.

Quite a shame to see a player having to retire so early.

[Uncle Albert]

I thought Ashton was a steady player, never classed him as England quality though, I swear this injury Ashton picked up came about when he got called up for England and SWP stuck one on him in training and done his ankle.

Always wanted Liverpool to sign Ashton because he always got goals.

[Bert]

I thought Ashton was a steady player, never classed him as England quality though, I swear this injury Ashton picked up came about when he got called up for England and SWP stuck one on him in training and done his ankle.

Always wanted Liverpool to sign Ashton because he always got goals.

Yup - From Kareem's linked story:

The player may also take action, though it is not certain whether it would be against the FA or Shaun Wright-Phillips - whose tackle caused the initial ankle injury

[Uncle Albert]

Yup - From Kareem's linked story:

Oh right, didnt read his story.

[CosbehFox]

Poor luck.

Been a very good professional in his short career.

[lildave3]

Shame really, cracking player.

[leicesterfox86]

Whatever happens, he will probably not be able to be the player he could have been without the injuries. Such a shame. When was he at his best? Norwich / Early West Ham?