West Ham United striker Dean Ashton is facing retirement.

The Daily Mail says West Ham expect to announce the retirement of Dean Ashton this week after the striker sadly accepted his ankle injury means he will never play again.

A second opinion has backed up the diagnosis that Ashton's ankle can longer stand up to the rigours of professional football.

The news is a devastating blow for the player who turns 26 this month. Ashton will meet Gianfranco Zola and members of the club's board to discuss the timing of the announcement and the insurance implications of his career-ending injury.