West Ham United boss Gianfranco Zola is proud to have secured the core of his team to new contract in recent weeks.

"Robert Green, Matthew Upson and also Scott Parker have signed deals," Zola was happy to point out to those who had said such vital players would quit Upton Park.

"They are the core of this team and I believe they can be the core of this team for a long time. The club know this, too.

"Hopefully, soon Lucas Neill will sign a contract as well. Things are going well, we just need to understand that we want this to carry on for a long time."