West Ham United are chasing £5 million in compensation from Dean Ashton's retirement.

The Daily Star Sunday says Ashton will finally admit his career is over through injury this week and that will spark a multi-million pound compensation battle.

The West Ham striker's career has ended less than a fortnight short of his 26th birthday - after he failed to recover from an ankle injury he suffered while training with England three years ago.

Now the hard-up Hammers will seek up to £5million compensation from the FA for the loss of his services.