Could Ashton be Stoke’s first capture?

It’s reported that Dean Ashton could be heading up Stoke’s transfer target list.

West Ham are said to be ready to discuss a deal for the striker who only started four games last season due to a recurrence of an ankle injury that has dogged his Hammers’ and international career since moving to Upton Park three and a half years ago.

Another successful product of the Crewe Academy, he spent five seasons in the first team at Gresty Road before joining Norwich City in 2005 during their run in the Premier League, but opted for the Hammers in January 2006 after they’d dropped into the Championship.

There’s no doubt that a fit Ashton will be a great asset but we’d be taking a risk that he’ll never properly get over the broken ankle that he sustained whilst training for England duty in August 2006.