Source: Daily_Mail
West Ham striker Dean Ashton retires aged 26 and weighs up Chelsea and FA injury compensation claims
Insured: Dean Ashton (right) in action for England[LNB]West Ham United striker Dean Ashton has been forced to retire today after failing to recover from the ankle injury sustained while on England duty in August 2006. [LNB]The 26-year-old forward is understood to have been told by two world-renowned ankle specialists his chances of making a full recovery were not good. [LNB]A statement issued on West Ham's official website announced this morning that the ex-Norwich man had been forced to quit the game. [LNB]It read: 'West Ham United regret to announce that Dean Ashton has been forced to retire from professional football through injury.[LNB]'Following independent medical advice, the 26-year-old Englandstriker has reluctantly brought an end to his career due to a long-termankle problem initially suffered in training with the national team inAugust 2006. [LNB]'Despite undergoing surgical procedures and intensive rehabilitation,Ashton has been left frustrated in his considerable and sustainedefforts to return to full fitness. With warnings about his long-termmobility, he has been left with no option but to retire.'[LNB]Ashton legal action against Wright-Phillips unnecessary, hopes PFA chief Taylor Never the same: Ashton holds off Wes Brown's challenge during the England training session on August 14, 2006, shortly before suffering his fateful injury [LNB]West Ham CEO Scott Duxbury added: 'This is a sad day and ourthoughts are with Dean. I would like to place on record our thanks tohim for all his efforts and wish him the very best.[LNB]'I would also liketo thank the fans for their patience and understanding during what hasbeen a difficult time.'[LNB]Ashton and West Ham are now looking at compensations options. [LNB]Bad news: Medical specialists informed Ashton his chances of long-term recovery were 'not good' [LNB]The striker is believed to be investigating whether both Shaun Wright-Phillips - whose tackle was responsible for injuring Ashton in that fateful England training session - and his employers at the time, Chelsea, can be the subject of legal action. [LNB]The player 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 35 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.[LNB] 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]Ashton made his name at Crewe before joining Norwich in January 2005. He netted 18 goals in 46 appearances for the Canaries, earning him a then club-record £7.25m move to West Ham.[LNB] Dean Ashton legal action against Shaun Wright-Phillips unnecessary, hopes PFA chief Gordon TaylorWhat the back pages say: Jurgen Klinsmann blasts Rafa Benitez, Dean Ashton to sue Chelsea and Wright-Phillips over career-ending tackleCHARLES SALE: Crocked Dean Ashton to seek FA's millionsBrazil striker Adriano must now decide between West Ham, Milan and RomaHammer time! Gold and Sullivan make £42m West Ham takeover bidWEST HAM UNITED FC
