Striker deal denied by Hammers

West Ham insist England striker Dean Ashton will not be sold while Kieron Dyer has reportedly suffered another leg injury.

The Hammers are said to have been looking to reduce their wage bill this summer but the cost-cutting exercise will not include the sale of frontman Ashton, who has been linked with Newcastle in the past.

Chief executive Scott Duxbury told the News of the World: "Hell would have to freeze over for us to sell Dean to a major rival."

Dyer missed the majority of last season with a badly fractured leg and reports suggest he has now suffered complications.

West Ham finished a creditable 10th last season despite an horrendous run of injuries and boss Alan Curbishley will be hoping history does not repeat itself.