West Ham United striker Dean Ashton is keen on a return to Stoke City.

Stoke boss Tony Pulis has held talks with West Ham this week about Ashton's situation.

The Sentinel says Ashton, a former Stoke trainee, appears to be surplus to requirements after an injury-ravaged couple of seasons at Upton Park. It is understood he would welcome a move back to his Cheshire roots.

The presence of Stoke's new Academy director Steve Holland, a man working closely with Ashton during his formative years at Crewe, could be another added attraction.

But Stoke would want rigorous assurances that his well-documented fitness problems were behind him before making any move for the 25-year-old.