http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/230820...ir-threat.html
Always sad when players are forced to quit by injury, but this seems a bad one
Ashton 'wheelchair threat'
West Ham striker Dean Ashton is to announce his retirement after being told he could end up in a wheechair, according to the Sunday Mirror.
The 26-year-old has been battling recurrent problems since breaking his ankle in an England practice session three years ago.
And now the newspaper reports that top Dutch surgeon Niek van Dijk has told Ashton that he faces a stark choice: giving up football or facing the possibility that he will never walk again.
The former Norwich player - who has one England cap - had feared that his career might be over after taking 11 months to recover from the initial fracture, but eventually returned to action and has scored 15 goals in his 46 appearances for the Hammers.
Yet the further injury trouble last September ruled him out again, and despite surgery in February this year he has still not been able to train without excruciating pain.
West Ham striker Dean Ashton is to announce his retirement after being told he could end up in a wheechair, according to the Sunday Mirror.
The 26-year-old has been battling recurrent problems since breaking his ankle in an England practice session three years ago.
And now the newspaper reports that top Dutch surgeon Niek van Dijk has told Ashton that he faces a stark choice: giving up football or facing the possibility that he will never walk again.
The former Norwich player - who has one England cap - had feared that his career might be over after taking 11 months to recover from the initial fracture, but eventually returned to action and has scored 15 goals in his 46 appearances for the Hammers.
Yet the further injury trouble last September ruled him out again, and despite surgery in February this year he has still not been able to train without excruciating pain.
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