Newcastle boss Kevin Keegan is being linked with a summer swoop for West Ham striker Dean Ashton.

Ashton has struggled for form and fitness this season and has been in and out of the Hammers side after a lengthy injury lay-off.

Keegan will look to freshen up his forward options in the summer, with Mark Viduka likely to be forced out while rumours persist that Michael Owen could also be on his way.

Ashton, 24, cost the Hammers £7.25million when he moved from Norwich in January 2006 and it is likely that the Magpies will at least have to match that figure to persuade Alan Curbishley to part company with the former Crewe man.