England Watch – Dean Ashton
Wednesday, 21 Mar 2007 17:43
Ashton has not played for the Hammers since last season's FA Cup final
For all the criticism levied at current England coach Steve McClaren – his lack of tactical nouse, his play-it-safe team selections, his misguided media persona – one thing that has not helped him since he took over the job has been good fortune.
Some say it is better to be lucky than good, but McClaren wouldn't really know since taking over the national coach's position.
If it isn't a freakish bounce in front of Paul Robinson's swinging leg then it's a spate of injuries to key personnel, especially in the forward line.
Michael Owen, Peter Crouch and Darren Bent – all possible starters – have missed playing time under McClaren but perhaps one of the most unfortunate circumstances was reserved for West Ham forward Dean Ashton, who broke his ankle in training before a likely international debut.
So, when he eventually returns next season, where will the former Crewe Alexandra man fit in McClaren's plans? Will he make the 2010 squad?
Alistair Potter assesses the crocked Hammers star's chances.
Name: Dean Ashton
Position: Forward
Club: West Ham United
Age by South Africa 2010: 26
The latest news on Dean Ashton's ongoing ankle injury saga is that he will miss the rest of the season.
What this means for his club situation is anyone's guess because no-one is quite sure which division West Ham will be in next season. And you can be sure that of all their stars that will leave if the dreaded R-word comes true, Carlos Tevez included, Ashton will be one of the first names to be bandied around the gossip mill.
There is little doubt that the 23-year-old is a talented player and despite his long-term problems with injury, he likely to command a hefty transfer fee for any Premiership side that comes swooping for him in the summer.
As far as his international career goes, it seems a little premature to be discussing him as a possible England regular given that he is yet to earn even a single cap, but the fact is that, paradoxically, his reputation has almost been enhanced by his absence from first-team football this season.
With Ashton in the side, West Ham reached an FA Cup final last season and were within a few minutes of lifting the trophy until Stevie G did what he does best – single-handedly saved Liverpool.
The Hammers also finished in the upper echelons of the table, which seems like a pipe dream for fans this time round, in no small part due to the form of their new striker from the very beginning of his Upton Park career.
This season the situation could not be more different. Mired in relegation with unrest on and off the pitch, things have gone from bad to worse this year.
Obviously the drastic change is not all due to Ashton's injury in August but it has proved, if proof were needed, that his presence makes an average team good and a good team great.
McClaren clearly rates the young forward or else he would not have made the squad for the pre-season friendlies. And Ashton's absence, along with the other injuries, have meant a call-up for Championship striker David Nugent.
This demonstrates the serious shortage of quality forwards in England at present, because while Nugent is hardly a slouch, under any other circumstances he would surely have been forced to wait at least another season or two before his first senior call-up.
Ashton is the sort of player who will play an important role for the team. His all-round game has been compared to team-mate Teddy Sheringham – arguably an all-time great during his time wearing the Three Lions – and his talents are undeniable.
With a fully-fit line-up, England would be likely to opt for Wayne Rooney and Michael Owen as the starting partnership but Ashton would surely earn a place in the squad. And with age on his side when compared to Owen at least, Ashton could be the long-term partner for the undroppable Rooney.
A few more seasons like his last two before the current campaign will only help his cause and he will undoubtedly have a part to play for McClaren when he finally returns to fitness.
His chances for 2010? Good to excellent, as long as he makes a full recovery. It is whether or not he is a starter that is the only question.
England's 2010 World Cup squad
*Players in bold – tickets to South Africa booked already
Goalkeepers
Paul Robinson
Possibles:
Chris Kirkland,
Ben Foster,
Rob Green,
Scott Carson
Defenders
John Terry,
Ashley Cole,
Rio Ferdinand,
Jamie Carragher
Possibles:
Glen Johnson,
Joleon Lescott,
Micah Richards,
Ledley King,
Michael Dawson,
Anton Ferdinand,
Leighton Baines,
Justin Hoyte,
Curtis Davies,
Wes Brown,
Phil Bardsley,
Michael Mancienne
Midfielders
Steven Gerrard,
Frank Lampard,
Owen Hargreaves,
Joe Cole,
Michael Carrick
Possibles:
Aaron Lennon,
Tom Huddlestone,
Nigel Reo-Coker,
Lee Cattermole,
Shaun Wright-Phillips,
Stewart Downing,
Giles Barnes,
James Morrison,
Kieran Richardson
Forwards
Wayne Rooney,
Michael Owen
Possibles:
David Nugent,
Theo Walcott,
James Vaughan,
Gabriel Agbonlahor,
Jermain Defoe,
Peter Crouch,
Darren Bent,
Dean Ashton,
Cameron Jerome