Ashton lauds Cole partnership

Forward hails striking combination

By James Dall   Last updated: 1st December 2007   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Ashton lauds Cole partnership

Ashton: Eyeing Chelsea start

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West Ham United's Dean Ashton hopes he and Carlton Cole can renew their England Under 21 strike partnership for Saturday's trip to Stamford Bridge.

A recent spate of injuries have paved the way for a consistent run in the first-team for Cole.

Ashton, meanwhile, is fit again after making his return from a knee injury in the Tottenham draw last weekend.

And Aston believes he and Cole can rekindle their partnership as Alan Curbishley's men look to build on their recent sturdy form when they take on Chelsea.

Record

"I played with Carlton in the Under 21s and we had a really good record," he said.

"He has got pretty much everything you would want as a striker - he's quick, strong, big, good in the air and scores goals.

"Coupled with my link-up play, we really used to hit it off."

Speaking of his current match sharpness, Ashton explained that he is raring to go this weekend and would be disappointed to miss out against Avram Grant's side.

"Although I have been out for six weeks - probably because of all the work I did in pre-season - I don't feel like I have lost a lot," he added.

Plain and clear

"Obviously I'd love to start against Chelsea and if I don't I will be ****** off - but that's the way it is.

"I want to play every game, I missed a year and then to be on the bench is not that great so I'd love to play.

"It is down to the manager to decide.

"But I'm not going to make it an easy decision for him - I want to play and I'll make that plain to him."