A STORY broke in one national newspaper on Sunday that West Ham striker Dean Ashton is about to announce his retirement from the game. If that is the case, then someone forgot to mention it to Hammers boss Gianfranco Zola, who seemed non-plussed when aske

A STORY broke in one national newspaper on Sunday that West Ham striker Dean Ashton is about to announce his retirement from the game.

If that is the case, then someone forgot to mention it to Hammers boss Gianfranco Zola, who seemed non-plussed when asked to confirm the story after Sunday's clash with Spurs.

"As far as I know he is still trying to do his rehabilitation and I am hoping that I can have him in my team," said a perplexed Zola, who was either very sincere, or an excellent actor.

"I hope he will be back and until they tell me something different, I am hoping that way. We spoke to him some time ago, and he came one day to training with us, and as I said, I am hopeful."

Ashton hasn't played for West Ham since September of last year.

So the mystery continues, although you should bear in mind that this is the same newspaper that suggested that Zola was about to resign.