West Ham United striker Dean Ashton is expected to announce his retirement today.

The Sun says the West Ham and England striker has been fighting an ankle injury he first sustained on international duty in 2006.

Ashton, 26, was warned by doctors he risked being unable to walk properly if he continued his desperate bid to remain in the game.

The £7.2million signing from Norwich in January 2006 last played in the Premier League for West Ham 15 months ago.

His retirement is not a surprise but it is still a massive blow for West Ham, who badly need a player of his quality up front.