Gianfranco Zola today reassured West Ham United fans that no players will be sold by the financially troubled London club unless they are determined to leave. The Hammers manager was speaking after a week in which French midfielder Julien Faubert agitated for a move to Lyon in the wake of Craig Bellamy's transfer to Manchester City.Zola denied that Bellamy had gone on strike last weekend to expedite his transfer to Eastlands. "We wanted to keep Bellamy and we did everything we could to keep him," the Italian said. "He decided that he wanted a new experience, simple as that. We couldn't hold a player who was so determined to leave. He didn't go on strike. He just didn't train one day because he had a problem in his calf and the day after was not a compulsory day, so he didn't train as well."But the fans, they have to be comfortable when I say if somebody wants to stay we don't want to sell players who are important for the team, unless they want to go because they have their reasons."Zola refused to name possible replacements for the Wales striker, although the agent of Savio Nsereko, Brescia's German attacking midfielder, said West Ham had made inquiries.The West Ham manager was encouraged by his side's 3-1 win over Fulham at the weekend, in which Bellamy's replacement, David di Michele, scored the first goal: "We will see what needs to improve and to replace Craig. Right now what Di Michele did the other day was fantastic and I think he deserves my trust and to insist on keep playing him."The Italian was mute on any possible bid for Crystal Palace's midfielder Ben Watson, but did not rule out strengthening his squad before the transfer window closes. "It is still a long season and we want to build up something that can last for as long as possible, so we might consider strengthening the team, but right now I don't want to talk about it."Nigel Quashie looks set to join fellow Hammer Kyel Reid on loan at Wolverhampton Wanderers for the rest of the season. The 30-year-old midfielder had been on loan at Birmingham City, but was meeting the Wolves manager, Mick McCarthy, today after Alex McLeish decided not to extend Quashie's loan spell at St Andrew's.Transfer windowWest Ham UnitedPremier Leagueguardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2009 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds
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