West Ham United face a legal battle with Dean Ashton.

The Sun says the Hammers are primed for a bitter £15million legal battle with the FA over Ashton.

The striker, 26, quit last month following two years of injury hell after getting crocked on England duty.

The Hammers face paying Ashton £3.7m in wages and believe they deserve compensation on his £7m transfer fee and salary during his recovery programme.

An insider said: "The new owners are fed up of West Ham being sued so have decided to have a go themselves."