Hammers demand £7m settlement

West Ham's settlement figure in the Dean Ashton case had been revealed to be some £7million.

Ashton, who was forced to retire from football in 2009 having failed to receover from a serious ankle injury announced earlier in the week that he has won his own personal case with the FA - giving the club the green light to hit the FA - who have quite disgracefully attempted to absolve themselves of any responsibility - with their own writ.

And according to reports this morning, that bill is for a touch under £7million. The figure is said to represent the £8million Ashton was insured for minus £1.2million that the FA have already paid the former Crewe and Norwich striker in wages for the 2006/07 season.

The FA maintain that Ashton's retirement was not a direct cause of the challenge by Shaun Wright-Phillips during an England training session in 2006 as the player went on to make more than 40 appearances for West Ham and was also later given a five-year contract by then CEO Scott Duxbury.

Still only 27, Ashton recently had his ankle fused together to prevent further degeneration. He is left unable to play most sports, including football.