West Ham United are due to meet with Dean Ashton on Friday 16 May to discuss terms for a new long-term contract at the club.
With the 2007/08 season only just concluded last Sunday, the focus at the Boleyn Ground has already switched to looking ahead to the next campaign and Ashton is an integral part of Alan Curbishley's plans. The 24-year-old striker, who finished the season with eleven goals including five in his last eight matches, has two years left on his contract and the aim is to secure Ashton's services in line with the club's vision for the future which also includes the return of key players like Kieron Dyer and Craig Bellamy.
West Ham United Chief Executive Scott Duxbury said: "The end of the season was the appropriate time to discuss such matters and to meet Dean Ashton and his representatives. We will sit down on Friday with a view to agreeing a new long-term contract to keep Dean Ashton at Upton Park. Everyone at West Ham United is committed to taking the club forward and we will keep all supporters up to date with developments via the official website as and when we have them to report."