Dmac
08-15-2006, 02:42 PM
Ashton breaks ankle in training
http://img219.imageshack.us/img219/5684/ashtonub3.png (http://imageshack.us)
Striker Dean Ashton is out of England's friendly against Greece at Old Trafford on Wednesday after breaking an ankle during training.
John Terry took part in training for the first time since being named captain but 22-year-old Ashton's withdrawal overshadowed the session.
The injury will also be a major setback to West Ham, with the Premiership starting on Saturday.
Ashton was set to start against Greece and make his England debut.
England coach Steve McClaren had based part of his training around the Hammers forward but the injury, which was suffered halfway through training on Tuesday, has forced the new national team boss into a rethink.
McClaren said: "We did some work with Dean on Monday and were going to do some more this morning but these things happen in football.
"We are just very sorry to see this happen."
Ashton's injury will provide more ammunition for critics of playing an international friendly only three days before the start of the Premiership campaign.
West Ham play Charlton on Saturday and Ashton now faces a lengthy spell on the sidelines.
But McClaren defended the friendly and insisted: "These games are very important.
"We stressed that to the players in a meeting on Monday.
"They should be proud to wear the shirt and badge - no matter what game it is. You still have to put a performance in and guarantee and warrant a place in the team.
"Yes, it is a friendly but we want to win, we want to play well and we want to put things in place for the future."
McClaren appointed Terry Venables as his assistant and was enthusiastic about the prospects of having the ex-England boss among his coaching set-up.
"Everyone knows Terry and what a character and personality he is and he blends in naturally with other people," said McClaren.
"He is a football person and he can talk football till the cows come home.
"He has some great ideas for the team that we want to implement and we will develop a good working relationship."
Credit - BBC Sport
http://img219.imageshack.us/img219/5684/ashtonub3.png (http://imageshack.us)
Striker Dean Ashton is out of England's friendly against Greece at Old Trafford on Wednesday after breaking an ankle during training.
John Terry took part in training for the first time since being named captain but 22-year-old Ashton's withdrawal overshadowed the session.
The injury will also be a major setback to West Ham, with the Premiership starting on Saturday.
Ashton was set to start against Greece and make his England debut.
England coach Steve McClaren had based part of his training around the Hammers forward but the injury, which was suffered halfway through training on Tuesday, has forced the new national team boss into a rethink.
McClaren said: "We did some work with Dean on Monday and were going to do some more this morning but these things happen in football.
"We are just very sorry to see this happen."
Ashton's injury will provide more ammunition for critics of playing an international friendly only three days before the start of the Premiership campaign.
West Ham play Charlton on Saturday and Ashton now faces a lengthy spell on the sidelines.
But McClaren defended the friendly and insisted: "These games are very important.
"We stressed that to the players in a meeting on Monday.
"They should be proud to wear the shirt and badge - no matter what game it is. You still have to put a performance in and guarantee and warrant a place in the team.
"Yes, it is a friendly but we want to win, we want to play well and we want to put things in place for the future."
McClaren appointed Terry Venables as his assistant and was enthusiastic about the prospects of having the ex-England boss among his coaching set-up.
"Everyone knows Terry and what a character and personality he is and he blends in naturally with other people," said McClaren.
"He is a football person and he can talk football till the cows come home.
"He has some great ideas for the team that we want to implement and we will develop a good working relationship."
Credit - BBC Sport