GIANFRANCO Zola has fined Carlton Cole after the West Ham striker was arrested on suspicion of drink-driving in the early hours of Tuesday morning.

The 24-year-old was breathalysed before being taken to a West London police station after being stopped on Victoria Embankment at 4.30am. He was later released on bail until November.

While the Hammers do not expect Cole to be charged with the offence, boss Zola has hit his former Chelsea team-mate in the pocket for being out so late and also warned him over his future conduct.

The incident marks the first major test of the Italian's management since his appointment a fortnight ago, and the Sardinian has responded by taking decisive action.

"I am very disappointed," admitted Zola.

"I spoke to him. He is very sorry at being out at such a time. He realised it wasn't the right thing to do. He will be fined, he knows that.

"We are going to deal with it but the player understood 100 per cent that he made a mistake and he is ready to take the fine the club is going to give him."

Zola added that the striker "was not drunk" and that the fine was a punishment exclusively for being out and about in the middle of the night.

"I am disappointed with him but that doesn't take away all the chances that he has got," said the 42-year-old, who claimed last week that Cole had the ability to play for England.

"He knows that a player like him can't do this kind of thing, especially if he wants to achieve high levels. If he wants to play for the national team he can't afford to do things like that."

Zola was labelled 'Mr Nice Guy' during his time at Stamford Bridge, but he insisted that he possesses the mettle necessary to ensure his players know not to step out of line.

"Of course I have got a nasty side. You don't want to see me like that!" he joked.

"I have my moments. I try to control them as much as possible. I have got my morals as well as anybody. You have to have a nice balance if you want to judge things properly.

"Being nice doesn't mean that I am stupid. I have a responsibility and I will take it seriously.

"I have to take decisions. I have to look after a balance here and if somebody makes a mistake I am ready to be the one who forces people to do things in the right way."