As he now plots promotion from the Second Division, Gradi will now hope to keep hold of Dean Ashton.

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Defoe and Dean Ashton missed chances to add to the scoreline before the half-time interval signalled the start of a glut of changes.

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Owen's absence could give the likes of Dean Ashton and Gabriel Agbonlahor a chance to stake a place in the team.

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Dean Ashton soon added a third to wrap up an easy win against a Blues side who did not seriously test Shaka Hislop.

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England made three substitutions at half-time with Lee Camp replacing Carson in goal and Kieran Richardson and John Welsh coming on for Leighton Baines and Dean Ashton.

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West Ham's Dean Ashton will be among the other attacking players Capello will have at his disposal, with all but the nine men on Champions League duty due to report on 22 May.

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The Italian, who officially takes charge of the team from Monday, will also be concerned about his attacking options after Dean Ashton was forced off through injury early on, although replacement Di Michele was instrumental in dragging his side back into the game when they looked in danger of being overrun.

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