West Ham United and England striker Dean Ashton was ruled-out for the rest of the 2006/07 season after having to undergo surgery once again on his problem ankle.

The Premiership strugglers have been hit by another blow after the former Norwich City star, who broke his ankle training for England last August, is now having to undergo another operation on his injured ankle. He has been informed that will be unable to train again for at least six weeks.

Hammers boss Alan Curbishley, who recently indicated that the striker could be ready for a return before the end of the season, has now pledged not to rush him back to first-team action.

“There has been lots of talk that Dean's on his way back. I came in December 13 and there was a lot of talk that he wasn't far away and the first conversation I had with him was a positive one,” said Curbishley. “But I did say to him that in my eyes he was going to be fit and available when he was fit and available.

“I think what's been happening to him is that he's had perhaps a good time and then a bad time. He's had to see another couple of specialists to review his situation.

“He's just got another little hurdle to get over. The actual fracture where he had the injury is not the problem. It is a secondary problem which is handicapping him a little bit.”

Ashton has been linked with a move to Newcastle United in the summer, but West Ham’s chairman Eggert Magnusson maintained that: "Dean Ashton is here to stay! He will be a West Ham player for years to come. I think he needs to start playing before you can speculate.” Further adding: “Let him get back to the level he was.”

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