Chelsea face a battle to hold onto highly-rated coach Steve Clarke.

The Daily Mail says prospective Hammers boss Gianfranco Zola will move for Chelsea's Clarke as his No 2 if he is unveiled as West Ham's new manager on Thursday.

The Italian knows Clarke well from his time at Stamford Bridge and is keen to utilise the Scot's experience as part of his coaching staff.

West Ham, frustrated at the complications surrounding original favourite Slaven Bilic, have decided that Zola is the man to move the club forward after the resignation of Alan Curbishley.