New goals for Ashton

Ashton: Looking to the future

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• West Ham United

His playing days may be over but Peter Taylor is hoping to persuade Dean Ashton into the coaching side.

In Ashton's first live television appearance since he was forced to quit the game due to an ankle problem, Ashton revealed that he is determined to look to the future as he recovers from yet another ankle operation. It may not help him play football again but he will be able to walk.

"I am actually all right, I am fine," said Ashton on Goals on Sunday.

"Obviously this looks bad and it is a bit of a pain but I am glad to have it done and I am looking forward rather than back now.

"I will be able to walk properly for the rest of my life - before December I was really struggling to even walk and that is when you put things in perspective - you just want to walk properly and play with your kids - I couldn't do things like that. So it was really important that I had this operation to make sure I was all right."

Ashton's ankle injuries started when he was on England duty and came up against Shaun Wright Phillips. One tackle changed everything.

"I broke my ankle but the way I broke it did not help my situation and it meant that the cartilage was really damaged and it meant over time it just got worse and worse.

"It got to the point where the surgeons recommend that you finish before you do yourself any long term damage.

I probably knew it was all over about last February. A simple thing like just trying to jog gave me this really weird cracking noise and I knew then that it was time to call it a day.

"I wanted to get myself back so desperately and I went back to West Ham and again simply warming up the noise was not very nice. The other players asked what is that noise - is that your new boots, but it was my ankle."

Ashton also revealed that his insurance was void and said that while there were rumours of legal action, he had his rehabilitation to worry about.

"I have not spoken to Shaun Wright Phillips since that tackle but it is not that you see players all the time and I can't even remember playing against him again," added Ashton.

"There were lost of things being said but at the moment I have this to concentrate on and there are legal teams to sort all that out.

"Obviously as a player my insurance was void - I think there are a lot of players who have insurance but it never get's paid out because of the restrictions in the insurance. Because of being injured for so long my insurance did not pay out if you have been injured for so long.

Peter Taylor, who coached Ashton at England U21 level, is hoping that he is not lost to the game and believes he would make a very good coach.

"I was talking to him and I am pushing him to go into the coaching side," said Taylor.

"He a very good player - his movement was outstanding and he was a very clever player. I remember my time with England U21's with Dean and he was always asking questions about formations and why we did certain things.

"I think he has a lot to offer on the coaching side. It is so sad what has happened to him but to me he must not walk away from the game.

"The game needs good young coaches and I think he will be ideal. He must not be lost to the game."