Ashton a big hope

What a difference a few weeks have made for bullish West Ham striker Dean Ashton.

Little-known at Norwich in December, the 23-year-old has been catapulted into the England World Cup frame after an impressive couple of months in the top flight.

And chattering media types like Alan Hansen and Gary Lineker reckon Ashton might have a Teddy Sherringham-type role to play for his country.

But the level-headed lad is playing down talk that he might make Sven's squad for the big one: "Obviously it is really nice, but it is out of my hands and I don't really think about it."

If it comes, fantastic, if not good luck to the people who do go."

Sven was reportedly impressed following a Premiership match at Upton Park when Ashton scored and bossed the attack in a 2-2 draw with Everton.