West Ham boss Alan Curbishley insists he's treated Dean Ashton fairly this season.

Ashton, who badly broke an ankle training with England back in August 2006, has suffered some niggling injuries since and Capello will have seen against Birmingham that he is still way off his best form.

Ashton and Curbishley were reported to have disagreed about the best way back, with the striker wanting to play in every game while his manager favoured a more cautious approach.

"We haven't had a falling-out," said Curbishley. "But most of the people who have watched us this season would agree, I think, that I've done well by Dean.

"I don't think I have done such a bad job in terms of bringing him back and easing him in. I think you can see Dean has a bit to do and I believe the way we've handled it, giving him as much football as we can, has been the right way."

Ashton is unlikely to play in England's match against France. Curbishley said: "We're working hard at it and I don't see what else I can do."