Hammers board meet to iron out striker Ashton's Upton Park future

Manchester United are rumoured to be ready to test the Hammers' resolve to keep Ashton by tabling an £8million bid for the England prospect this summer.

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Portsmouth and Newcastle are also reported to be interested in the 24-year-old, who returned this season after a year out spent recovering from a broken ankle.

Hammers boss Alan Curbishley is meeting with the board today to review the season and discuss plans for the transfer window.

Curbishley is determined to keep Ashton and after yesterday's 2-2 draw with Aston Villa denied that he is under pressure to slash the wage bill.

But a big offer could tempt the board to sell and Ashton is seeking reassurances over his future with two years left on his contract.

"As far as I know I'll be at West Ham. The only worry is that the club haven't spoken to me yet so I don't know where I stand," he said. "Obviously I'd like to speak to the club about my future. I'd just like to know where my future lies.

"Obviously I had to prove myself after spending so long out injured and I feel I've done that now. West Ham is the team I play for. I want to talk to the club because I've really enjoyed myself here and that's all I'm really thinking about."

Ashton was complimented by Sir Alex Ferguson after scoring in the 4-1 rout at Old Trafford on May 3, but has taken little notice of his words.

"A lot has been written about me but the thing I'm most worried about is what West Ham think of me," he said.

"I suppose it (Ferguson's praise) is flattering but you don't really read a lot into what goes into the papers."

It is understood that West Ham chief executive Scott Duxbury has had preliminary discussions with Ashton's representatives about an improved deal but nothing could be decided until the player himself had proved his fitness.

Owner and chairman Bjorgolfur Gudmundsson was expected, at today's meeting, to confirm that Curbishley must trim his squad and reduce the wage bill.

The Upton Park club, who bought almost exclusively from the English market last summer, may instead turn their attention to Europe, particularly following the appointment of Italian technical director, Gianluca Nani.

"If I can get some of the injured players back it will be like new signings," said Curbishley. "We do have a big squad but if we hadn't have had that this season, I don't know where I would have been. When everyone gets fit it will be natural that one or two won't play and will want to leave."