Dean Ashton is sweating on what sort of new contract offer West Ham are willing to make after planned negotiations were confirmed by the club this week.

The Times says Ashton has asked the club to honour the undertaking that they made in January to give him an improved contract if he performed well this season. Portsmouth, Newcastle United and Manchester City are interested in signing the 24-year-old, who has two years left on his existing deal.

Ashton is paid about £25,000 a week, which is significantly lower than the wages being paid to many of the players signed by the club in the past year who earn in excess of £60,000.