New West Ham boss Gianfranco Zola has a little problem on his hands. News has trickled into the COS favela that Hammers striker Dean Ashton has knackered his ankle and will be out for a month…

Learning that your star striker is injured after your first week in the job is never nice, and seeing as West Ham also boast Craig Bellamy up front - the man that Tony Cascarino said would miss a game with a “twisted sock” - they could be in trouble.

Deano said:

“Unfortunately I’ve picked up another injury. I sprained my ankle in training on Monday and I’m looking at spending the next three to four weeks on the sidelines.

“I just went over on it. It happens to a lot of players. It’s not too serious but it will take a few weeks to heal properly.

“I’m looking at about three weeks and then it’s the international break. Hopefully I’ll be back after that.” (The S*n)

As luck would have it, although Ashton is entering the West Ham treatment room, Bellamy seems to be (finally) leaving it - and is tentatively pencilled in for a return for Saturday’s game against Newcastle.