Ashton and Upson will not leave West Ham in January sales

Gianfranco Zola has issued a 'hands off' warning to Premiership managers who may be expecting an Upton Park fire sale this January.

The Italian moved to quash rumours that the Hammers would be shipping out their star players in a bid to raise cash for troubled owner Bjorgulfor Gudmundsson.

He admitted West Ham's huge squad was likely to be trimmmed but pledged to hang on to his stars.

"We will consider selling some of them but we are not going to sell the best players," he said. "Ashton and Upson are among the best players we have."
He added: "This club wants to progress so we are not going to sell our best players.

"This is what I am told by the club and I trust the club 100%.
"Right now we don't need to bring anyone in.
"When everyone is back there will be many, so maybe some players will go away to play."