West Ham striker Dean Ashton is reportedly set to announce his retirement from football due to a degenerative ankle problem.

The 25-year-old has been told - according to the Sunday Mirror - that he will end up in a wheelchair if he continues to play football.

A Hammers official did not deny the story when questioned by the newspaper, saying: "We can confirm Dean Ashton is unavailable for selection but we cannot comment any further."

Ashton suffered a fracture of his ankle three years ago while training with England but returned to play 35 games during the 2007/08 season.

But he broke down again in September of last year and has failed to play since.

The Sunday Mirror claims that the former Crewe and Norwich ace is suffering excruciating pain in his ankle and Dutch doctor Niek van Dijk has told him that surgery is possible - but it will end his playing career.

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