Newcastle United have made contact with West Ham for striker Dean Ashton.

The 24-year-old is unsettled at Upton Park despite having two years left to run on the contract he signed two summers ago for the east Londoners.

A source close to the East End club told the Evening Chronicle: "We know that Newcastle are interested in signing Dean.

"And Alan Curbishley is aware of this.

"There have already been a couple of rounds of contract talks with Dean before he went on international duty with England, but nothing is decided.

"We think that deep down Dean might want to stay but, like any player, he wants to have a contract that reflects his performances."