Dean Ashton is just over a week away from his West Ham United comeback.

The club's record £7.25million buy is scheduled to play in their opening pre-season friendly at neighbours Dagenham & Redbridge on July 14.

Ashton, 23, sidelined since last August after breaking his left ankle while on England duty, has been joining in practice games for up to two hours a day with his team-mates, who reported back for training on Monday.

He spent a couple of weeks in Portugal with Hammers' new £6m midfielder Scott Parker doing ball work and swimming to regain his stamina after refusing to take a summer break.