Source: Daily_Mail
CHARLES SALE: Crocked Dean Ashton to seek FA's millions
West Ham striker Dean Ashton is set to call time on his injury-wrecked playing career and lodge a multi-million-pound insurance claim against the Football Association.[LNB]Ashton, who is set to quit professional football before his 26th birthday this month, is understood to have been told by two world-renowned ankle specialists his chances of making a full recovery are not good.[LNB]West Ham are expected to receive that verdict from leading Dutch surgeon Niek van Dyke, who has carried out previous operations on Ashton's ankle, which he originally injured at his first England training session in August 2006.[LNB] Enlarge Insurance claim: Dean Ashton [LNB]Van Dyke is thought to believe that Ashton's chronic injury problems originated from the England incident.[LNB] More from Charles Sale... CHARLES SALE: Lines drawn over TV rights report08/11/09 Charles Sale: England show up clubs on poppies05/11/09 Then there were two: Bolton join poppy parade - unlike United and Liverpool05/11/09 Poppy power! Now only three Premier clubs are refusing to back campaign04/11/09 Charles Sale: Portsmouth chief executive Peter Storrie is charged (only four years on)04/11/09 Charles Sale: Poppies growing on Premier League clubs03/11/09 CHARLES SALE: A dozen Premier League clubs are proud of poppies02/11/09 CHARLES SALE: Olympic naming at Her Majesty's pleasure02/11/09 VIEW FULL ARCHIVE As a result both club and player will reluctantly accept that the popular striker will hang up his boots before seeking the maximum compensation possible for a career-ending injury received on England duty.[LNB]Ashton is thought to be insured for £7million by West Ham. But the insurance claim against the FA will be a complex one, given that Ashton recovered from the injury - which caused him to miss a whole season - well enough to make 31 appearances and score 10 goals in 2007-08 and play for England against Trinidad at the end of that season.[LNB]He broke down again after four games at the start of last season and has not played since. England's insurance policy, which would have already paid Ashton's wages throughout the 2006-07 season, has been beefed up since the dispute with Newcastle following Michael Owen's 2006 World Cup injury.[LNB]But any claim by Ashton will have to be dealt with by the FA's insurers in 2006, SBJ - who would not comment - rather than their current insurance firm, JLT.[LNB] Chelsea's new chief executive Ron Gourlay hardly qualifies as a celebrity, nor does a photograph of him provide fans with any kind of privileged access behind the scenes at Stamford Bridge. Yet greedy Chelsea still charged newspapers £250 this week for a snap of their CEO.[LNB] [LNB]Report: David Davies[LNB]Former FA executive David Davies's report to the Government on his recommendations for TV's listed sports events will go to the Department of Media, Culture and Sport next week.[LNB]And the list - expected to include Ashes cricket and World Cup qualifiers - is bound to upset several sports governing bodies.[LNB]But it is understood Davies was hardly inundated with fresh ideas from the sports authorities, who have most to lose by having their TV rights limited to terrestrial broadcast, about how the system could be improved.[LNB] Hull City's American striker Jozy Altidore wasn't fazed by being fined by his club last month for inappropriate postings on social networking site Twitter after being dropped by boss Phil Brown for turning up late.[LNB]Altidore has now posted a surreal video excusing his lack of punctuality by showing him driving through a flock of sheep on the way to training.[LNB] Poppygate refuseniks Manchester United and Liverpool have shamefully refused to join the 18 other Premier League teams playing in poppy-embroidered kit this Armistice weekend.[LNB]But the two Premier League giants have taken notice of the Sportsmail campaign which has created huge public interest in the issue and outrage at the big two's attitude.[LNB]Liverpool will donate their poppyless match shirts against Birmingham on Monday to the British Legion. And Chelsea say tomorrow's opponents United have been 'exceptionally helpful' over their Remembrance Sunday activity.[LNB] England coach Fabio Capello was conspicuously not wearing a poppy at the FA's unveiling of Sir Alf Ramsey's bust at Wembley on Friday.[LNB] England boss: Fabio Capello with a bust of Sir Alf Ramsay at Wembley Stadium[LNB]But Capello, who made a point of meeting members of the armed forces invited to the ceremony, discussed the poppy issue in detail with FA staff before the event.[LNB]And although respectful of British culture and history, Capello felt it would be tokenism for an Italian citizen to wear a poppy.[LNB] [LNB] Explore more:People:Michael Owen, Dean Ashton, Fabio Capello, Phil BrownPlaces:Newcastle, Liverpool, United KingdomOrganisations:Football Association
