Ashton set to confirm retirement

(GSM) – Dean Ashton is expected to confirm his retirent from professional football today. The 26-year-old West Ham United striker has been suffering from a serious ankle injury for three years now.

The Telegraph reports that Ashton is considering suing Chelsea and Shaun Wright-Phillips following the challenge in August 2006 which, he will claim, has ended his football career. The West Ham United forward sustained an ankle fracture during a training session while on England duty and has since featured in just 39 official matches for the Hammers. Ashton made his last appearance for West Ham in September 2008 against WBA (3-2 loss).

In an apparently ground-breaking case, Ashton is believed to be investigating whether both Wright-Phillips and his employers at the time, Chelsea, can be the subject of legal action. It may be argued that Chelsea face what is termed a vicarious liability even though the winger was on international duty.

Such a case would undoubtedly be challenged by Chelsea, who would argue that they cannot be held responsible for something that happened while their former player — who is now at Manchester City – was with England and, therefore, under the care of the Football Association. They will, it can be expected, argue that it did not take place during the course of his employment by Chelsea.