Duo eye striker

Dean Ashton is once again being linked with a move away from the club with both Spurs and Aston Villa ready to pay £10m for him.

They are the latest clubs to be linked with the striker who has suffered with a host of injuries since being at the club and is currently sidelined with an ankle problem which has kept him out of the side since September.

That in itself appears to cast doubt on whether anyone would want to risk so much money on a player who has struggled with injury but that has not stopped the rumours linking him with a switch.

Hammers boss Gianfranco Zola has stated he does not need to sell his stars despite the reported financial problems at the club, although if an offer of £10m came in that stance may well change, and he is looking forward to Ashton's return.

He said: "Dean is in rehab and seeing his physio.

"He's doing very well but I don't how long he will be out for. Hopefully it'll be the very beginning of the New Year."