Positive news for Ashton

Dean Ashton is targeting a potential return to action for West Ham United this Sunday against Manchester City after the results of a scan came back clear.

The striker was substituted with 73 minutes to go in Saturday's 2-1 home win against Wigan Athletic with what felt like severe cramp. A scan on Sunday found no problems and the 24-year-old reported no ill-effects when examined again on Monday. He will continue to be monitored but is hopeful of being back in action this coming weekend with the televised trip to the City of Manchester Stadium.

"It was just cramp," Ashton said. "I should be training with the team on Tuesday. I am really glad that is not a bad injury. I am looking forward to joining in training tomorrow and getting on with playing. Overall, I am really pleased with how pre-season has gone for me and then to get off to a good start in the first game - especially with two goals. Hopefully I can keep that going on Sunday."

Ashton scored six goals during pre-season to continue where he left off last season. Overall, the weekend double means he has struck seven goals in his last nine Barclays Premier League outings - including the last eight games of the 2007/08 campaign.