Lucas Neill may still be a West Ham player if boss Gianfranco Zola gets his way. The Italian tactician has not given up hope on retaining the Australian international who has been strongly linked with a shift to Turkish club Galatasaray.

"Lucas Neill is talking with the club," said Zola. "We need obviously to have some negotiations but I am hoping that he is going to join us as soon as possible.

"I know his name has been linked to other clubs. Last time I spoke to the player he told me that if anything could happen he would call me first. So far he has not called me so I assume he is not yet going anywhere.

"He was an important player last year and our aim this year is to work to improve how we did last season and we hope that he will make his decision."

Neill did not travel to China with the Hammers for their pre-season tour and reports have indicated his agent, Paddy Dominguez has been in negotiations with Galatasaray.