DEAN Ashton could be in line for a starting role as West Ham take on rivals Tottenham at White Hart Lane today.
Boss Alan Curbishley has opted to use Carlton Cole in a lone striker system in the last three games which has seen Ashton relegated to the bench.
However, with his team managing to hit the net just six times in the nine league matches since the turn of the year, Curbishley hinted that Ashton - the club's top scorer with six goals this season - could soon be back in his starting eleven.
Curbishley said: "The one thing you can't get away from is he has got more goals that anybody else.
"If we can produce some chances, I wouldn't mind him getting on the end of them."
Ashton (pictured) has endured a frustrating season since returning from a year-long lay off with an ankle injury.
The 24-year-old looked to be returning to his best form but then suffered a six-week setback with a knee problem in October.
Question marks over his match fitness since then has seen him being used only sporadically by Curbishley, making consistency difficult to come by.
Curbishley said: "It has been a long road for him (but) he is strong. It is all about muscle and he has worked ever so hard.
"I have spoken regularly about his opportunities - he might not be happy about it but he has accepted it.
"If I decide to play 4-4-2 and Deano is in there, I have no worries about that."
Meanwhile, Curbishley could have Scott Parker available for the Spurs encounter. The midfielder has been out with a knee injury since December 28.
But Matty Upson, who limped out of the 4-0 defeat against Liverpool on Wednesday, is a doubt with a calf problem.
Julien Faubert, Danny Gabbidon, Matthew Etherington, Lee Bowyer and Craig Bellamy all remain sidelined.
West Ham (from): Green, Neill, Ferdinand, Upson, McCartney, Solano, Noble, Mullins, Ljungberg, Boa Morte, Cole, Wright, Pantsil, Zamora, Spector, Ashton, Parker, Reid, Collison, Sears. - West Ham's rearranged Premier League clash with Portsmouth at Upton Park, will take place on Monday, April 7. Have your say below: Should Alan Curbishley start with Dean Ashton against Spurs today?
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