09/10/2007 14:18
Dean Ashton has been ruled out of action for up to six weeks after scans
confirmed the striker has a sprained medial knee ligament.
The West Ham United forward was yesterday forced to withdraw from the
England squad to face Estonia and Russia in Euro 2008 qualifiers on Saturday
and Wednesday week respectively after being hurt late in Saturday's 1-0
defeat at Aston Villa. Ashton had been called up after a series of fine
performances for the club had seen him score three goals in eight
appearances.
Head physiotherapist George Cooper confirmed the extent of Ashton's injury
today. "We received the results of Dean's scan and they were what we
expected which is that he had sprained the upper third of his medial
ligament," he said. "In the majority of cases it will take up to six weeks
for full recovery." The injury is a bitter blow for the 23-year-old whose
previous call into the England squad for an August 2006 friendly against
Greece saw him pick up an ankle injury in training.
More positive news for West Ham is that striker Craig Bellamy began running
again last Friday after an operation on a groin injury and has joined up
with the Wales squad ahead of their own qualifiers against Cyprus and San
Marino, although he is set to sit out the first fixture. Club-mates Danny
Gabbidon and James Collins are also in John Toshack's selection.
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