I played for West Ham and England before injuries ruined my career, but now I'm back after 15 years.
Dean Ashton will lace up his boots again, 15 years after an ankle injury cut short his career at the age of 26.
And while I played for EnglandThe 40-year-old is preparing for his toughest challenge – competing in the talkSPORT Trophy, which will be broadcast live on talkSPORT YouTube channel.
The talkSPORT co-commentator will be in action on Thursday representing the All Stars, captained by the former Tottenham and England striker. Darren Bent – where he will face Team Breakfast.
And he has revealed that a conversation by the talkSPORT presenter and former Hammers boss Alan Pardewwho directs the All Stars, convinced him to return to the field of play.
Speaking to talkSPORT.com, he said: “I think the last time I was seen in football boots was about ten years ago in Mark Noble's testimony (2016).
“So it's very rare that I ever come out of hibernation for a football game, but when Coach Pardew calls you, to be honest, you can't say no!
“I still owe him for buying me for West Ham (for £7m) so I'm ready.”
Ashtonwhose injury problems began in 2006 after suffering a broken ankle during training in England, he missed the entire 2006/07 season as a result.
He scored ten goals in the Premier League the following season with the Hammersresulting in his only appearance for the Three Lions: a 3-0 win against Trinidad and Tobago.
But he ultimately couldn't get rid of his ankle problem, forcing him to end his career in December 2009.
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And Ashton, who started at Crewe before joining West Ham in 2006, admitted he has no idea how his body will react, commenting: “I don't have a joint so there's no pain there, it's very, very stiff.” .
“So we'll see how I handle it. If they put me on the wings against one of the fast guys, (Gabby) Agbonlahor or (Jermaine) Pennant, I have no chance.”
Ashton then issued a warning to Team Breakfast goalkeeper Ian 'The Moose' Abrahams, saying: “I've heard that if you lack confidence then this will definitely be the best thing you can do.
“Facing Ian Abrahams in goal will undoubtedly restore my confidence. The important thing is the power in my shots.
“So it's probably better for him to get out of the way than to get hit by one of my shots. That would be my advice to him.”
Despite his injury problems, Ashton has stated that he is prepared to go back in time in a bid to recreate his stunning overhead kick goal against Manchester United in 2008.
He even fired a sensational scissor kick in Noble's testimony, with Ashton admitting he can't avoid it when the ball is in the air.
He added: “The problem is that it's like a way of flinching for me, I have no control over it.
“If it has to be done, then I can't help it, it doesn't matter if it's 3G or in a concrete parking lot, it's just an automatic reversal.
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“If the ball reaches the right height, I will end up accepting it and suffering the consequences.”
There you have it, talkSPORT All Stars: if you want an almost guaranteed goal, just punch it out of the air for Ashton.
Team Breakfast take on talkSPORT All Stars for the talkSPORT Trophy on Thursday 21 March at 2.30pm – LIVE on YouTube
