Ashton sweating over England

West Ham striker hopes to have impressed, while Defoe admits delight

Last updated: 3rd June 2008

Jermain Defoe England International Friendly Trinidad and Tobago

Ashton and Defoe celebrate against Trinidad & Tobago

I could have done better. But hopefully I've done enough to impress.

Dean Ashton
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Dean Ashton admits he faces an anxious wait to discover if he has done enough to impress England manager Fabio Capello.

The West Ham striker made his long awaited international debut in Sunday's 3-0 victory over Trinidad & Tobago as he was named in Capello's first XI in Port of Spain.

Ashton was robbed of his England debut in 2006 when he broke his ankle in training ahead of a friendly with Greece, but having finally earned his first international cap he admits he could have done better.

The 24-year-old failed to score and was replaced by Peter Crouch at half-time and he is now living in hope that he did enough to earn another chance under Capello when England take on Czech Republic at Wembley on 20th August.

"I could have done better," Ashton said in The Sun. "It would have been nice to score.

Fight

"But hopefully I've done enough to impress and get in the next squad."

However, Ashton faces competition from the likes of Crouch, Michael Owen and Jermain Defoe in the battle to partner England's star forward Wayne Rooney.

And after scoring twice against Trinidad & Tobago in his second successive start following his run-out against USA last Wednesday, Defoe believes he should be England's first choice.

"When a new manager comes in everyone is equal and fights for their places. Players come in and fight for their futures," the Portsmouth striker said in the Daily Star.

"When you play games you feel so much sharper. Obviously I hope I have done enough to keep my place."