West Ham striker Dean Ashton will reportedly be at the centre of Newcastle boss Kevin Keegan's squad rebuilding plans this summer.

Keegan, who is already under pressure at St James' Park despite only taking over from Sam Allardyce last month, is scouring the market for a quality striker to take to the club at the end of the season should the Magpies survive in the Premier League.

A run of two draws and two defeats under Keegan has seen the side drop to within six points of the relegation places after failing to pick up a win since the 1-0 success at Fulham in mid-December.

Keegan's current forward line includes Michael Owen and Mark Viduka, who have both been linked with moves away in the summer, so a quality new face may be required to lead the line. And 24-year-old England international Ashton is thought to top his wanted list despite his struggle to return to form this season after recovering from a long-term ankle injury lay-off.

Ashton cost the Hammers £7.25million when he moved from Norwich in January 2006 and a similar bid might be enough to tempt his current boss Alan Curbishley into letting him go.