West Ham's Ashton to make announcement later this month

West Ham United striker Dean Ashton is expected to make an announcement about his playing future before December.

Ashton broke his left ankle while training with England in August 2006, ahead of a friendly with Greece.

An announcement about his future is likely to be made later this month, BBC Sport understands.

He joined West Ham from Norwich for £7.25m in January 2006, having started his career at Crewe.

No-one from West Ham was prepared to comment, although privately club officials have accepted he is unlikely to play again.

Sources close to Ashton said they did not expect any news on "his situation" to be announced for "another week to two weeks".

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