WEST Ham's Dean Ashton has all the right qualities to earn himself an England recall, according to team mate Robert Green writes James Randall .

The striker has been overlooked by Three Lions boss Fabio Capello for tomorrow night's friendly in France.

However, the 24-year-old (pictured) has hit two goals in his last two starts for the Hammers - including a stunning equaliser against Everton at the weekend - and Green claimed that Capello could come calling if he keeps on the goalscoring path.

"If you look at England's strikers, he has got unique attributes for an English centre forward at this moment in time," said Green.

"It's something I'm sure he's got half an eye on but with him it's one step at a time."

Ashton missed the whole of last season with a broken ankle and was sidelined for a further seven weeks after suffering knee ligament damage in October.

Question marks have since been raised over the former Crewe and Norwich hitman's weight.

But Green - who played alongside Ashton at the Canaries - insists that it is his team mate's injury-plagued history has made it difficult for him to find match fitness.

"It takes a lot out of Dean, playing in games," he said.

"It's not to do with his size or anything like that, which is perfect for a big centre forward, it just takes a lot out of him and is hard work.

"They say it takes three times as long to get fit as you were out injured.

"Dean was out for a year, so will it be three years before he gets back to his full fitness.

"It just shows how long your body takes to adjust back into things.

"But his qualities are so vast that as long as we can keep him healthy, it will come through."

Fitness issues aside, Ashton is still the Irons top scorer this season having hit seven times in just 14 league starts, and Green believes that he is finally starting to show the form that earned him an England call-up back in August 2006.

He added: "He's got the qualities and the ability but it's just a question of getting him out on the pitch week-in, week-out like he did for Norwich, Crewe and during his first half-a-season at West Ham.

"With regards to getting back to his best form, as a forward you are judged on scoring goals and he's scored one last week and one this week, so maybe he's getting there."

Ashton has also gained the plaudits of Hammers boss Alan Curbishley, who admitted he was impressed by the player's recent form.

Curbishley said: "I'm delighted with what's going on now because Deano has in the last three games, most West Ham fans will agree, looked sharper."