Dean Ashton admits scoring again for West Ham on Saturday was a great feeling.

Ashton, who scored his first top-flight goal for 18 months in the 3-0 defeat of Middlesbrough, said: "The international break was a good thing as it meant I could get a few reserve games under my belt. It made the difference as I felt a lot better in the game.

"When I scored, I felt a bit of everything. It had been a long time since I scored a Premiership goal so this was special for me.

"Even though it was only from a few yards it meant a lot.

"I could set myself targets for the season but I expect to score in every game. That is the aim. If I don't score, I am always disappointed.

"During my time out, I was watching videos of myself scoring goals. It is the only way I kept myself going."

Ashton added: "There are still improvements I can make. I feel fit, while you have to play games to get sharpness. But the ankle is not something which will go away and players around the country with similar injuries will say the same.

"I've got to work for six months to a year to eradicate that."