Gianfranco Zola's dream of leading West Ham into the Europa League could be threatened by the club's delay in meeting Uefa requirements for playing in the competition.

Boss Zola has led his side to seventh in the Premier League, putting them on course to qualify for the tournament that replaces the Uefa Cup. However, West Ham are reported to have missed the initial 30 April deadline to submit their application for a UEFA club licence, which all clubs playing in European competition need.

It is understood the delay is down to the club's failure to declare their accounts and doubts over their ultimate ownership.

West Ham have until the end of the month to provide the necessary information and while the club are confident it will meet the conditions, it is likely the ownership issue will have to be resolved before West Ham can satisfy UEFA's demands.

Control of the club is expected to pass into the hands of Icelandic bank Straumur - a major creditor of Hansa, the holding company owned by Hammers chairman Bjorgolfur Gudmundsson that went into administration last year.