Source: Telegraph
West Ham manager Gianfranco Zola refusing to write off Dean Ashton's career
Ashton, still only 25, is fighting to recover full fitness from an ankle injury which began while on England duty following his appearance in the 2006 FA Cup final against Liverpool.[LNB]Reports over the weekend claimed that Ashton was close to retiring and would seek compensation from the Football Association.[LNB] Related ArticlesWest Ham 1 Everton 2Premier League tablePremier LeaguePremier League fixturesBut Zola, who admitted recently that having Ashton fit could have made a massive difference to West Ham's season, is refusing to give up of the former Norwich striker who cost £7 million. [LNB]"Until someone tells me he is not going to make it,' said Zola, 'I am still confident he is going to come back. [LNB]"For the boy and for us we hope he will make it. I can't say more than that. [LNB]"Dean is working his way back on his own and with his own physio. I don't know when I will hear anything."[LNB]West Ham slipped back into the relegation zone yesterday when they lost 2-1 to Everton.[LNB]Another striker, Carlton Cole, was missing with a hamstring strain and he has been left out of England's squad for the friendly against Brazil in Doha as a consequence.[LNB]'Carlton shouldn't be too bad, hopefully he will be back for the next game,' added Zola.[LNB]'He is a big player for us, but what can we do? It's something we have to live with. The other day, against Villa, we did very well without him, against Everton unfortunately we couldn't do the same. We know Carlton is a big asset.'[LNB]
