West Ham’s Dean Ashton has picked up an ankle injury that is set to leave him on the sidelines for up to a month.
The news will be a blow to new Hammers manager Gianfranco Zola, who will now be without Ashton until October.
“Unfortunately I’ve picked up another injury,” he told The Sun.
“I sprained my ankle in training on Monday and I’m looking at spending the next three to four weeks on the sidelines.
“I just went over on it. It happens to a lot of players.
“It’s not too serious but it will take a few weeks to heal properly.
“I’m looking at about three weeks and then it’s the international break. Hopefully I’ll be back after that.”
Ashton was happy to welcome Zola’s appointment as manager.
“It’s definitely great for me as a striker. I can learn a lot from him,” he said.
“He is a nice guy – he’s come in and has been really good with the players so far.”
