Ashton set for England call

Dean Ashton appears set to be handed his first England call-up against Greece.

Dean Ashton appears set to be handed his first England call-up against Greece, in Steve McClaren's debut as national team manager later this month.

The West Ham target man has been on the fringes of the international set-up and was even touted as a possible late addition to Sven Goran Eriksson's World Cup party, only to be overlooked by the outgoing Swede.

However, McClaren has already insisted that he is determined to make a clean break from Eriksson's tenure and impose his own stamp on The Three Lions, with Ashton poised to be one of the early beneficiaries.

A first cap against European champions Greece on August 16 would cap a rapid rise for the 23-year-old, who has impressed at The Hammers since signing from Norwich last January in a £7 million transfer.

The former Crewe striker, who has also been a reported target of Newcastle, was arguably the best player in last season's FA Cup final prior to Steven Gerrard dragging Liverpool up by the bootlaces.

And Ashton could now be handed the opportunity to prove he belongs in Gerrard and co's exalted company.

McClaren is reportedly ready to name a four-man striking pool for the match against Greece, with Ashton taking his place alongside Wayne Rooney, Peter Crouch and Jermain Defoe.

That would mean Theo Walcott - the surprise inclusion at Germany 2006 - being dropped back into the junior ranks.