The Mexican striker signed for the Hammers last week after scoring four goals in his last six internationals.

And Zola believes Franco will prove to be the final piece in his jigsaw after he spent the summer strengthening West Ham's strikeforce.

Zola, who picked up Franco as a free agent after his Villarreal deal came to an end, said: "He is a main striker, he is very good at holding the ball and very good with his feet.

"He likes to play off the other strikers so he can make a difference for us."

Zola signed Alessandro Diamanti and Luis Jiminez from Serie A to support England international Carlton Cole, who has carried the responsibility of being West Ham's only real attacking outlet for much of the last year.

Both Diamanti and Cole scored against Liverpool on Saturday while Franco, Zavon Hines, Junior Stanislas and Kieron Dyer now provide Zola with a spread of offensive options.

"I normally like to play with one striker and two small ones behind him," said Zola.

"I am looking forward to having a little bit of consistency so I can put my ideas a bit more.

"From now on, I know who I am working with. I can start shaping the team and am looking forward to that a little bit more."

Jiminez is available against missing Saturday's 3-2 defeat, when Hines shone for the Hammers.

Liverpool defenders Jamie Carragher and Glenn Johnson found themselves tied in knots trying to cope with Hines' raw pace.

The 20-year-old won the penalty for Diamanti and could have marked the occasion with a goal after striking the inside of the post.

Despite their promising performance, West Ham lost to Liverpool and their only victory since the opening day of the season has been an extra-time triumph against Millwall in the last round of the Carling Cup.

Zola is targeting the tournament as a great chance to win silverware in his first full season in charge at Upton Park.

"It is very important to us. We take it very seriously and we want to go further in this competition so we are going to try to win the game," said Zola.

While West Ham's attacking options have been bolstered, Zola is set to be without captain and England centre-back Matthew Upson, who injured a calf against Liverpool.