Zola wants to keep Cole

West Ham boss Gianfranco Zola is confident of keeping Carlton Cole in the New Year despite interest from Liverpool and Manchester Utd.

With regular warnings about West Ham's financial position, Cole has been linked with a multi million pound move elsewhere, especially Liverpool where Rafa Benitez needs someone to play alongside Fernando Torres.

Zola remains confident that he can keep his star striker when the window opens in the New Year, "Carlton is an important player for this team, not only because he scores goals but also for his presence," Zola told The Sun.

"I know Carlton wants to stay and is happy here. The club has no intention of selling him or any of our important players.

"He plays for us and we're very happy with him.

"We're going to make sure we can help him keep on scoring."