GIANFRANCO ZOLA is determined to keep his squad of players together during the January transfer window, as West Ham prepare for a vital bottom-of-the-table clash against Wolves on Sunday.

Speculation has been rife that some of the team's star players, like Scott Parker, Carlton Cole and Matthew Upson, will leave this month, as the club struggles to get to grips with its financial problems.

But Zola is hopeful that the squad of players will remain together, and even hinted at bringing in one or two new faces to help them dodge relegation.

“I'm expecting not to have anybody leave,” said the Italian. “That's all I know. It might change but I'm hoping not. “Bringing somebody in would be nice. I don't know what is going to happen, what I hope is that at least the team remains the same. That's the most important thing. When we have everyone back it's going to be a different story.”

West Ham's owners, CB Holding, are struggling against massive debts, but they will be hoping to trigger an auction between the three parties who have made it clear they are willing to invest in the club.

Former Birmingham City owners David Gold and David Sullivan are understood to have made a substantial takeover bid last month, while London-based financial company Intermarket and Air Asia founder Tony Fernandes have also expressed an interest in buying the club, and insist an offer is imminent.