Ashton hoping for summer return

West Ham striker Dean Ashton says he is hoping to return to full fitness ready for pre-season.

The 25-year-old missed the majority of last season with an ankle injury and there are fears for his career, but Ashton is hoping he can recover his fitness ahead of the new campaign.

“I’m looking to get myself back for pre-season now,” he told the Daily Star Sunday.

“I don’t want to come back unless I’m right. Sometimes it almost seems as if there’s something against me.”