DEAN Ashton’s ankle injury may not be as serious as originally feared, but Craig Bellamy is almost certain to miss Saturday’s Premier League clash with Newcastle United.

The West Ham United striker was initially expected to be sidelined for between three and four weeks after spraining his ankle in training on Monday.

New Irons’ manager Gianfranco Zola admitted Ashton had been carrying an injury before he arrived at the club on Monday.

However, the Italian has revealed that he hopes the England forward, 24, to be back in training as early as next week.

“Deano unfortunately won't be available this week. He will have to rest but I think he will be ready to start again next week,” said the former Chelsea forward, who takes charge of the Hammers for the first time when the manager-less Magpies visit Upton Park on Saturday.

“We will monitor his condition but at the moment he needs one week to recover.

“He already had a problem and the ankle got sore when we were training so we had to stop him.

“Craig Bellamy also has a problem, it's his old one (an abdominal injury). We don't know yet whether he is going to be available for Saturday.”

Bellamy has made just one first-team appearance this season, scoring as a late substitute in the 4-1 home win over Blackburn Rovers on August 30.

But despite inheriting two crocked forwards Zola refused to blame predecessor Alan Curbishley, who resigned a fortnight ago following a 20-month reign blighted by injuries, for the pair’s absences.

"I don't know the training system they had before and I don't want to say we had loads of injuries because of that,” the new boss said democratically.

“When Alan was here he did a great job and I hope I can carry on from that job.”

And the Sardinian, who has brought in fitness coach Antonio Pintas to improve his players’ conditioning, instead vowed to end the injury crisis himself.

"We have been working hard trying to improve this and with a bit of luck it will,” he added optimistically.

With Ashton and Bellamy out, Zola is expected to name former Chelsea team-mate Carlton Cole and Italian loanee David Di Michele in his team to face Newcastle.