Norwich midfielder Dickson Etuhu has backed Dean Ashton to be a success at West Ham after the striker's £7.25m move from Carrow Road back to the Premiership.

Norwich midfielder Dickson Etuhu has backed Dean Ashton to be a success at West Ham after the striker's £7.25m move from Carrow Road back to the Premiership.

"He deserves everything he gets, he's a nice lad and a quality player,” he said. “He's strong, got two good feet and scores goals for fun - they're getting a good player for the price they have paid.

"He's done well in the Premiership before and I'm sure he'll do so again, there's no doubt in my mind he'll be a success there.'

Ashton's goals last season could not help Norwich survive relegation from the top flight, and the striker has been tipped for a move since.

Nigel Worthington's side are currently 11th in the Championship and eight points adrift of the play-offs, but Etuhu is confident his team will finish in the top six despite their indifferent recent form.

Worthington's men were narrowly beaten by high-flying Watford 3-2 on Saturday, but have won three of their last six league fixtures.

Etuhu added: "What we now need to do is get a good run together of about five games. We've lost a few games this season and we're only eight points of the play-offs, but if we win the next five games we're right back in there.

"I know it's going to be difficult because my old club Preston, Crystal Palace, Cardiff and Wolves are all teams that are going to be in there at the end of the season battling for these places.

"The league is so tight and they're only a few points separating so many teams.'

The departure of England Under-21 international Ashton leaves a sizeable void in the Canaries attack, but Etuhu is hopeful a club of Norwich's stature will attract a replacement.

He continued: "There are a lot of players that want to come and play for a big club like Norwich. I'm sure they will bring someone in who will get the goals.'