West Ham United boss Gianfranco Zola is confident Alessandro Diamanti can fulfill his potential in England.

In defeat at Tottenham, the Italian showed flashes of his ability and his manager was keen to praise his versatility.

Zola told whufc.com: "Diamanti is more effective when he can come from behind and place balls for people running into the box. His best position is when he is in behind and can use his skills. His best quality is setting balls for the others.

"Against Spurs he did some good things. I have to think about Diamanti and think about the balance. I am playing him as a left midfielder at the moment but he can play as a striker on the left in a 4-3-3. I think it is going well and he is improving.

"The position he is playing in he is very effective and that is the right position for him. Right now it is better to have him in that position."