Dean Ashton’s future at West Ham United was clouded in uncertainty last night after Stoke City admitted to an approach for the striker, but denied they are in talks to sign him.

The East London club say they do not want to sell Ashton, who has four years left on a contract worth £60,000 a week. Ashton, 25, has been out since September with an ankle injury and interested clubs want him to prove his fitness. “Tony Pulis [the Stoke manager] likes him but there are ifs and buts because of his [injury] problems,” Peter Coates, the Stoke chairman, said.

Decent bets

Cesc Fàbregas is committed to Arsenal but has admitted to concerns about their lack of success. “My future lies with this great club and, yes, [my] anger stems from the deep desire I have to win things with Arsenal,” the Spain midfield player said.

Aston Villa have given Nigel Reo-Coker, the midfield player who has attracted interest from Tottenham Hotspur, permission to leave if they receive an offer of about £9 million.

ENNPI Cairo claim they are in talks to sell Ahmed al-Muhammadi, the Egypt winger, to Blackburn Rovers but have stopped him from having a second trial. Manchester City could use Jô, the striker who was on loan at Goodison Park last season, as a makeweight in a proposed deal for Joleon Lescott, the Everton defender. Andriy Shevchenko’s agent has claimed that the Chelsea forward is waiting for Roma to make a formal offer before considering other options.

Crystal Palace want to sign Leroy Lita, the forward who is out of contract after leaving Reading. Middlesbrough were last night discussing personal terms with Mark Yeates, the Colchester United winger, and they also hope to sign Bryan Hughes, the Hull City, midfield player.

Dead certs

Burnley are set to sign David Edgar, the defender, from Newcastle United to follow up the arrival of Tyrone Mears from Derby County. Birmingham City have offered a trial to Quinton Fortune, the midfield player who is out of contract after a spell with Tubize, of Belgium.

Birmingham have completed the signing of Roger Johnson, the defender, for £5 million from Cardiff City. AC Milan claim to have turned down a “monster offer” from an English club for Alexandre Pato, but Chelsea deny it was them. Liverpool have accepted a £3 million bid from Panathinaikos for Sebastián Leto, the winger.

Long shot

Bolton Wanderers have been linked with Lee Chung Yong, the Seoul midfield player.