Ashton hit by England injury blow
Striker Dean Ashton is out of England's friendly against Greece at Old Trafford on Wednesday after suffering an ankle injury during training.
John Terry took part in training for the first time since being named captain but 22-year-old Ashton's withdrawal clouded the session.
England head coach Steve McClaren said: \"It's disappointing when a young player is given his chance and gets injured.
\"Dean is having a scan at the hospital and we're awaiting the outcome.\"
Ashton had been called up to the national team for the first time and was set to start against Greece and make his debut.
McClaren had based part of his training around the West Ham forward but the injury suffered half way through training on Tuesday has forced the England coach into a rethink.
McClaren added: \"We did some with work on Dean on Monday and were going to do some more this morning, but these things happen in football.
\"We are just very sorry to see this happen.\"
Ashton's injury will provide more ammunition for critics of playing an international friendly just three days before the start of the Premiership season.
West Ham play Charlton on Saturday and the Hammers will be hoping Ashton's problem will not rule him out for too long.
But McClaren defended the friendly and said: \"These games are very important.
\"We stressed that to the players in a meeting on Monday. Every game for England is a game for England.
\"They should be proud to wear the shirt and badge no matter what game it is. You still have to put a performance in and guarantee and warrant a place in the team.
\"Yes it is a friendly but we want to win, we want to play well and we want to put things in place for the future.\"
McClaren appointed Terry Venables as his assistant and was enthusiastic about the prospects of having the ex-England boss among his coaching set-up.
\"Everyone knows Terry and what a character and personality he is and he blends in naturally with other people,\" said McClaren.
\"He is a football person and he can talk football till the cows come home.
\"He has some great ideas for the team which we want to implement and we will develop a good working relationship.\"
