West Ham United boss Gianfranco Zola doesn't expect to be able to call on striker Dean Ashton until the end of February.

"He is very positive. He is progressing very well but we can't say when he is back, it is too soon," said Zola. "These things are down to the subject, how he reacts and improves. So far he is doing very well but I don't think it is a short thing. I don't think we'll have him in January or February."