Hammers confirm Ashton talks

Contract talks amid speculation linking striker with a move away

Last updated: 13th May 2008

Hammers confirm Ashton talks

Ashton: Contract talks

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West Ham want to keep star striker Dean Ashton at the club, despite speculation linking him with a move away.

The Hammers have confirmed they will sit down with the striker and his representatives on Friday to try and tie him to a new long-term deal.

The news comes as Ashton, who has two years left on his current deal, has been linked with clubs such as Manchester Untied, Portsmouth and Newcastle.

But Hammers chief executive Scott Duxbury has spoken of the club's desire to keep him at Upton Park.

Appropriate time

He said: "The end of the season was the appropriate time to discuss such matters and to meet Dean Ashton and his representatives.

"We will sit down on Friday with a view to agreeing a new long-term contract to keep Dean Ashton at Upton Park."

Ashton is not among the club's high earners after signing from Norwich two years ago.

He missed last season after breaking an ankle on international duty when he was poised to earn a first cap.

But found the net on 11 occasions this season, including three in his last three matches.

This good form has earned him a call-up to the England squad and he could make his debut in the end-of-season friendlies against the USA or Trinidad and Tobago.