West Ham United are reportedly set to announce Dean Ashton's retirement from the game this week after the striker finally admitted defeat in his battle to recover from an ankle injury.

The 25-year-old, who last played a senior match 14 months ago, has never fully recovered from the serious broken ankle he suffered on international duty with England in August 2006.

Hammers boss Gianfranco Zola refused to write off Ashton after his side's 2-1 loss to Everton on Sunday, but it is understood the former Crewe and Norwich forward cannot play on due to chronic degeneration in the ankle.

"Until someone tells me he isn’t going to make it, I'm still confident he is going to come back," Zola said.

"For the boy and for us, we hope he will make it. I can't say more than that. He's not involved, he's working his way back on his own and with his own physio working on his fitness. I don't know when I will hear anything."

The London Evening Standard are reporting that the Hammers will make a £7million insurance claim against the Football Association, as Ashton was injured in a tackle by Shaun Wright-Phillips whilst with the Three Lions squad.

Ashton, who arrived at Upton Park in a £7million deal in 2006 and scored 15 goals in 46 league games for the club, is also likely to make a claim, although it is uncertain whether that will be against the FA or Wright-Phillips himself.