Defender looks for contract extension

West Ham skipper Lucas Neill wants to end speculation about his future and sign a new deal to keep him in east London.

The Australian defender has been linked with a cross city move to Spurs but he is enjoying life under new boss Gianfranco Zola and is keen to put pen to paper on the new deal with the Hammers.

Neill, who had joined West Ham from Blackburn in January 2007 - ignoring interest from Liverpool, said: "Zola is a fantastic guy, really enthusiastic. He is a footballing man and all the boys are really pleased with the way things have gone so far.

"If I was not held in such high regard at West Ham and being captain and very proud of that. Why leave somewhere where I am one of the most important people at the club?

"I don't mean that in an arrogant way. I mean it is such a responsibility and I relish it."