Dean Ashton will have to wait a little longer for his long-awaited England debut after being an unused substitute in the 2-0 friendly win against the United States at Wembley on Wednesday night.
The West Ham United striker, who scored five goals in eight matches to end the Premier League campaign, will hope to figure when Fabio Capello takes his side to Trinidad and Tobago for the last friendly of the 2007/08 season on Sunday. Ashton has twice been in England squads before - a friendly against Greece in August 2006 and then for European Championship qualifiers against Estonia and Russia last October - only for injury to end his chances on both occasions.
EXCLUSIVE ASHTON REACTION TO COME ON WHUFC.COM
Many neutral observers had expected Ashton to start at Wembley in a game played in front of 71, 233 fans but the role of Wayne Rooney's partner went to Jermain Defoe. The West Ham United academy product, now at Portsmouth, was eventually replaced in the second half by Peter Crouch before Rooney himself departed with 12 minutes to play for Joe Cole. England's goals on the night came from John Terry in the 38th minute, from David Beckham's free-kick, before Steven Gerrard finished off a superb pass by Gareth Barry just before the hour.