West Ham boss Alan Curbishley has rubbished claims of a rift with Dean Ashton.

Ashton has grown impatient for a starting-place this term and the Hammers boss admitted: "I had a little chat with Dean about the situation.

"I have to do what's best for the team, not the individual. He's been out for five weeks and in that time has had one practice and one reserve match.

"There's no rift between us, despite what people might say. We have to see whether or not Dean can last 90 minutes."