Alan Curbishley was delighted to see Dean Ashton return to
training, but does not expect the West Ham United striker to make
his comeback until February.
Ashton has been sidelined since August after breaking his ankle
while preparing to make his international debut for England.
The forward's powerful presence has been missed by the Premiership
strugglers, but he started light training on Thursday.
He had previously been targeting a New Year comeback, but
Curbishley is determined to take no risks with the player's fitness
and is likely to wait until February before bringing Ashton into
his plans.
"That's the first time he has really been out there light training
and I'm delighted that's happened," the Hammers manager told Sky
Sports News.
"We hope it is a progression to get himself fit.
"I've not put a timescale on it - I don't think I'm in a position
to do that - but he won't be rushed. He will be fit when he's
fit.
"I think January is a bit too soon. I don't know what the
predictions were before that, but seeing what I've seen since I've
been here, it will perhaps be after January.
"I won't be rushing him, I don't see any value in that.
"When it happened it was a dreadful blow for Dean and West Ham and
I did think that it would be a long time, and perhaps a little
longer than people thought."