West Ham striker Dean Ashton ready to take England opportunity

The 24-year-old was on the verge of earning a first cap in 2006 but suffered a broken ankle in training on the eve of the friendly against Greece, ruling him out for a year.

Opportunity knocks: Dean Ashton training with England in Port of Spain

After an impressive end to the last Barclays Premier League season he earned a call-up to Fabio Capello's squad and could feature against Trinidad and Tobago tomorrow in Port of Spain.  

With England failing to reach the European Championship this summer, Ashton feels there is an opportunity for players to seize their chances to impress.  

"The players who aren't quite in at the moment, we feel we have a chance to take the places," he said. "I'm not saying Wayne Rooney isn't an unbelievable player, but I feel I can get in the squad and team as well."  

Ashton has been encouraged by Capello selecting players from outside the top four clubs in the Premier League and with seven players from the Champions League final rested, there is potential for an unfamiliar line-up at Hasely Crawford Stadium. 

"The manager has shown so far that it doesn't matter where you've been in the past, it's what you are doing at the time," said Ashton, who looks set to sign a new contract at Upton Park next week. 

"The players in the Champions League are obviously more likely to play but if I can play well enough for my club and get my chance here I believe I can show that I'm good enough.  

"We're constantly hearing that there are no good English players about but I beg to differ, sometimes it takes being given a chance to impress."  

Goalkeeper Joe Lewis is not only out of the top four but has also been playing for Morecambe and Peterborough in League Two in the last year.  

Lewis thought his call-up was due to forgetting his computer during a recent game with the Under-21s, but he wants to seize his chance and has also been encouraged by former Norwich team-mate Robert Green, who has been in impressive form for West Ham but overlooked.  

"I left my laptop with the Under-21 and got a text message from one of the administrators asking if I got it back," Lewis said.  

"They also said 'by the way, are you in the country?'. I got a phone call back to meet up with the England squad. It was the right place at the right time and I'll take it anyway I can.  

"Luckily I hadn't planned a holiday and wasn't abroad at the time, and I find myself here now enjoying every minute of it."