Gianfranco Zola has warned any
Premier League vultures circling Matthew Upson that the England
centre-half is not for sale.
With West Ham in financial dire-straights and expected to sell
in January, invariable speculation has surfaced with regards
Upson's future.
In one Sunday newspaper Upson has been strongly linked
with a return to former club Arsenal, who are expected to
be on the lookout for defensive reinforcements when the transfer
window re-opens.
Upson started and scored in England's impressive defeat of
Germany in midweek and Zola has now moved to rule out a sale.
"Matty is not for sale either now or in January," he told the
Sunday Express.
"I don't have to sell any of my best players. I have been
promised that."
Hammers stopper James Collins, who is currently playing
alongside Upson, has echoed his manager's thoughts.
"He's a top class player and hopefully we can build a
partnership and keep a few more clean sheets.
"It would be a massive loss to lose any player of his
quality."