At last, Dean Ashton has been put out of his misery. After numerous attempts at a recovery from his ankle injury have faltered this season, he’s finally been ruled out until next term [source].

Back in January there were rumours of a likely return, with Fantasy Managers quickly checking on Ashton’s price in search of a bargain. However, Ashton has now had further minor surgery on his ankle injury and therefore will have the summer to rehabilitate. Sadly for the Hammers, there’s every chance that he won’t initially be available to Fantasy Managers next season with West Ham looking unlikely to avoid the drop to the Championship. But then, on his return from injury he’s likely to immediately be the subject of numerous bids from Premiership managers so he’s likely to crop up on the radar again eventually.