Gianfranco Zola has told Craig Bellamy and Scott Parker he will make them better players if they stay at West Ham.

Manchester City have already had a double bid worth a reported £20million rejected by the Hammers, who are determined not to lose any of their big-name stars.

England defender Matthew Upson is also a potential target for the Hammers' Barclays Premier League rivals.

"I know the players have had big offers but on the other hand we believe we are offering them the possibility to improve, to get better and better. Hopefully our players will see that and consider it," said Zola.

"The club is determined to keep the best players because we want to take the team to a better level.

"Sometimes you have to accept certain things - but at the moment we are determined to do this.
"We want to keep our players. We have targets to achieve and we know if we want to achieve them, then we have to keep our best players. We hope we can keep them."

Zola made clear on the day he took over that he wanted to trim West Ham's swollen squad and that began today with confirmation that winger Matthew Etherington is bound for Stoke in a deal believed to be worth £3million.

Midfielder Lee Bowyer has held talks with Birmingham, defender Calum Davenport has received an offer from Bolton and forward Luis Boa Morte is reportedly a target for Hull.

"We are trying to create a situation where everybody is happy. I said from the first day, this team has a big squad when everyone is fit," said Zola.

"I don't want to have players who train and are not playing. I want to have a situation where everyone can get a game, so some players might have to go."

Etherington came off the bench in last weekend's FA Cup win against Barnsley but has not featured in the league for West Ham since mid-November.

Zola said: "We chose to do the best for all parties involved. It is good for him. He will be playing regularly. We left on very good terms. We wish him all the best. He is a player we want to do well.

"(Davenport) has had an offer from a club. Now it is down to him to decide whether it is good enough.

"Lee Bowyer spoke to a club and we will see. He is not playing enough in this club and he may want to go and play some more football. We will see what happens. If he decides to stay we will be very happy to keep him."