Ash of the day

West Ham striker Dean Ashton has been backed to break into the international scene with England in the near future.

The 22-year-old former Crewe and Norwich frontman impressed for the Hammers in the FA Cup final - surely to become known as 'The Gerrard Final' - despite having to pass a late fitness test to take his place against Liverpool.

Of his player's exclusion from the World Cup squad, West Ham boss Alan Pardew said: "Dean has been unfortunate not to travel.

"If I was losing in an international game he would be a fantastic player to have on the bench to come on and affect the game.

"He's gets shots off and he links play up so well and if teams drop deep, which they will do if you're losing, or if you need a goal, he's brilliant at that.

"He was brilliant on Saturday. He only trained one day in the ten days before the game and he was very good."