Dean Ashton is targeting big things with club and country next season but knows the hard work is only just beginning.
The 24-year-old striker has secured his long-term future at the Boleyn Ground having finished the 2007/08 campaign on a high with five goals in his last eight games for West Ham United and then won his first England cap. After those successes, Ashton is already looking forward to reporting back for pre-season training but knows the club will have extra attacking impetus with Kieron Dyer, Julien Faubert and Craig Bellamy all hoping to prove their form and fitness.
"I can't be complacent," Ashton said. "There is strong competition for places and that can only be good for the squad. If everyone can stay fit, the fans should be excited by the players we have got." Supporters had their appetites whetted by Ashton's array of goals at the end of the season - a deft shot against Blackburn Rovers, a powerful header away to Everton, a neat finish against Newcastle United, an overhead kick to surprise Manchester United and a fierce shot on the turn to end the season on a high and frustrate Aston Villa - and he is looking to keeping that going come 16 August.
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"That is how I would like to try and start the season," he said when asked about maintaining his strong 'goals to games' ratio before recognising the array of options likely to be at Alan Curbishley's disposal. "With the forwards we have got it is going to be difficult to cement my place down but it is really nice that I have ended the season that way and hopefully put any doubters behind me now." That he was over any injury issues was demonstrated by Fabio Capello giving him his first start in the final England international of the season last Sunday.
Ashton said: "I have waited a long time for it, considering I should have got my chance two years ago so to get back in contention and then start for my country is something no one can ever take away from me. Obviously I am really pleased." When it comes to proving he is good enough to stay in Capello's thoughts, the No9 added: "It is a case of knuckling down, I haven't proved anything yet. I have got to play well for West Ham next season to earn my place in the next squad and then go from there really. I would be lying if I said I didn't want to be in every squad which is my aim.
"You are playing with the top players in the country and it is only going to help you. You only realise when you go away with England what a huge deal it is. It is really important and it has really struck me that you are a part of something unbelievable." The sentiments are the same for when he reports back for duty at Chadwell Heath in early July with high hopes for the coming club campaign. "We want to be up there right at the top half of the table. We have got to have a bit more luck with injuries. I think if we can do that it will be a really exciting season."