Dean Ashton will be out of action for a month after picking up an ankle injury in training.

The injury-plagued striker apparently went over on the ankle in Monday’s session and will now face at least 3-4 weeks out – denying him the opportunity to impress new boss Zola.

“I sprained my ankle in training on Monday and I’m looking at spending the next three to four weeks on the sidelines”, remarked Ashton.

That’s a frustrating one for fantasy managers, with West Ham’s fixtures looking particulary inviting over the coming weeks. In the Fantasy Premier League Ashton’s value dropped by 0.1 only this week – prior to news of the injury. It’s now set to fall considerably with interest in team mates Carlton Cole, Di Michele and ex-Hammer Bobby Zamora, likely to increase as a result.