Curbishley urges McClaren not to rush Ashton into the England set-up

Ashton scored his second goal in as many matches against Newcastle yesterday but it wasn't enough to prevent West Ham from losing 3-1, their first away defeat of the season.

With Emile Heskey already ruled out of the matches against Estonia and Russia with a fractured metatarsal and Michael Owen doubtful because of a groin problem, Ashton is in the frame to be recalled by McClaren. The striker is looking sharper after a year out recovering from a broken ankle sustained while with England in August 2006.

Curbishley, though, who resisted the temptation to bring him back from the start of the season, was today pleading a little caution. "I would just say to Steve McClaren that Dean has been out for a year and a bit," said the West Ham manager.

"He's just happy to be back playing at the moment. Steve has watched Dean since he came back and he has got stronger and sharper. Two weeks is a long time and anything can happen.

"We've had to handle Dean similar to Michael Owen, the difference being that Dean hasn't had a setback."

Owen, meanwhile, was having a scan today to determine whether he needs an operation on his troublesome groin after being substituted again yesterday.

"It's more of a concern this time because Michael asked to come off," said Newcastle manager Sam Allardyce. "Against Derby, I brought him off as a precaution.

"If he needs an operation, he will have it straight away."

That would be bad news for McClaren who would then have to find a new striking pair for the home match against Estonia on 13 October plus the clash against Guus Hiddink's Russia in Moscow four days later.

Curbishley has injury concerns of his own, as he looks ahead to Wednesday's Carling Cup tie against Plymouth followed by next weekend's Premier League clash with Arsenal at Upton Park.

Like Owen, Craig Bellamy is also struggling with a persistent groin injury while Scott Parker has yet to make his competitive debut after two months out with a knee injury.

West Ham went behind early on to a Mark Viduka header but rallied well and scored a deserved equaliser when Ashton volleyed home following good work by Carlton Cole.

Viduka restored Newcastle's lead just before half-time and the outstanding Charles N'Zogbia added a third before the end.

"Poor defending cost us," said Curbishley. "There was a big hole in our full-back position for the second goal and they tapped in the third from two yards.

"We're obviously down because we thought we could and should have got something from the game. If we had applied ourselves better, then we would have done."