West Ham United have received a boost on injury front as powerful forward Dean Ashton is expected to come back into the first-team reckoning for next week's clash against Liverpool.

The 24-year-old missed Sunday's 1-1 draw with Manchester City due to a minor problem that he suffered in the FA Cup clash between the same sides midweek, but has since been back training.

"I got a dead leg off the keeper on Wednesday night and from the collision with him I ended up having a slight back problem as well," Ashton told the club's website.

"The muscles were still in spasm on Friday so I wasn't able to travel to Manchester for the league game but after having worked with our back specialist here over the weekend I feel fine.

"I returned to full training yesterday and felt good over the last two days and so I will definitely be available for contention against Liverpool."