Former West Ham striker Dean Ashton has admitted it is unlikely he will ever be able to run again after quitting the game because of an ankle injury. The 26-year-old suffered the injury in a challenge by England colleague Shaun Wright-Phillips in 2006 and has since tried in vain to recover.

Ashton is understood to be considering whether to sue the Football Association, Wright-Phillips and Chelsea who were his club at the time.

He told The Sun: "It's a rubbish situation. I just want to be able to walk properly and, at the moment, I cannot.

"My health is obviously more important than football. I was told if I kept trying to play football, I might never walk again.

"I am going to hospital on Tuesday for a fifth operation. "It's unlikely I will ever be able to jog again but right now, I can't walk properly.

"My left ankle is still very sore. It will be a while before I feel OK and get over this disappointment.

"There is a bit of bitterness and I think 'Why me?'. It's a sad part of football."