West Ham to sell Dean Ashton this summer

West Ham will listen to offers for Dean Ashton this summer.

The luckless England striker has made just 51 appearances for the Hammers since joining the club from Norwich in January 2006, scoring 17 goals.

Injuries have played havoc with his bid to become a success at Upton Park and the Hammers were even willing to accept a decent offer for him back in January before he suffered yet another setback in his bid for fitness.

In fact, this season the s7million frontman has played just four times after scoring twice in the east Londoners' 2-1 win over Wigan on the opening day of the campaign and has been out since September.

Although he has now been fit for the last few weeks, Ashton has not been risked in the club's failed bid for Europe as West Ham do not want to jeopardise any potential transfer.

Boss Gianfranco Zola has repeatedly insisted Ashton will spearhead the club's attack alongside Carlton Cole next season. But suitors willing to follow up their interest with hard cash will find West Ham willing to do business.

Ashton's injury problems at West Ham began with a broken ankle while on England duty back in August 2006, which meant that he was forced eventually to miss the whole of the 2006-07 season.

The hugely popular marksman bounced back in the Premier League in August 2007 against Manchester City, coming on as a second-half substitute. Ashton went on to make 35 league and cup appearances in that campaign, scoring 11 goals.

Indeed such was the impact he made last season he penned a new five-year contract twelve months ago, intended to keep him at the club until 2013.

But his injury curse returned with a vengeance this term when Ashton sprained his ankle in manager Gianfranco Zola's first training session back in mid-September.

Newcastle were interested in signing him last Summer while Aston Villa were keen back in January. Now Everton - who have had to allow Jo to return to Manchester City because they cannot afford him - could move for Ashton as a replacement.

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