Former West Ham boss Alan Pardew believes Dean Ashton will make England's World Cup squad next year.

Pardew said: "If he can get himself fit, he would give us everything in that role - he is that good. He is the one player that can link all the play up and give us goals as well.

"I don't think he can come in for a while because you need players in top condition to do themselves justice and we are talking about the highest possible level.

"Dean needs a good pre-season and at least 10 games under his belt to show he can play in South Africa.

"At the moment we are missing one ingredient and that is a real top forward to lead the line up front, someone with the quality of Alan Shearer.

"If we find someone, we would be serious World Cup contenders. I think the man for the job is Dean."