The AC Milan coach is rumoured to be one of the names in the frame to take over from temporary boss Guus Hiddink in the summer.

"I've had him as a manager at Parma, he is a good manager, experienced with teams at a high level for a long time, so I'm sure he knows how to take a job like that, if it happens," said Zola, ahead of his side's trip to Everton tomorrow.

"He knows football very well and I'm sure he won't have any problems in this league.

"I know the Premier League is very different to Italy but it is still football and we are talking about someone who has played and coached football for a long time. I'm sure he can handle it."

Sunderland skipper Dean Whitehead is urging his team-mates to maintain the standards they set at Bolton to keep their heads above water in the relegation fight.

The Black Cats turned in a much-improved display at the Reebok Stadium last weekend to come away with a point from a 0-0 draw following a run of six defeats in seven Barclays Premier League games.

However, derby rivals Newcastle's 3-1 victory over Middlesbrough kept them in the thick of the fight for top-flight survival and, should the Magpies beat Fulham and Hull claim a much-needed win at Bolton tomorrow, the Wearsiders would be back in the drop zone when they run out at Portsmouth on Monday evening.

Whitehead said: "We have to keep producing that sort of performance week in, week out. We have set a standard now.

"We have to take that performance and the confidence of the lads will grow from that.

"We have to take that into the Portsmouth game and do exactly the same."

Blackburn manager Sam Allardyce has praised Benni McCarthy for his contribution since the former Bolton boss took charge five months ago.

The South African striker heads into the match against Chelsea on Sunday in confident mood after taking his tally to 13 for the season during the victory over Portsmouth last weekend.

Allardyce said: "Benni has had the opportunity to play since I came here. Before he was frustrated.

"He has got what he wanted and gone on and not only scored goals but made them as well. We then became a better force in terms of winning matches."

Tottenham midfielder Jermaine Jenas's focus is at the other end of the pitch as they prepare to host Manchester City tomorrow.

Spurs have conceded only nine goals at White Hart Lane this season and are on course to break the club record of 11.

"That is why we are where we are," said Jenas. "We have creative players and goalscorers but we needed to stop conceding goals.

"It's a credit to the whole team. When the records are there it's something we are proud of."

Stoke manager Tony Pulis is calling on his side to give the supporters a performance to savour tomorrow when they face Wigan in their final home game.

With their top-flight status assured against the odds it should be a carnival atmosphere at the Britannia Stadium.

Pulis said: "Hopefully everyone will want to perform well for if we get beaten it will be a bit of a downer.

"It will be lovely to have a win in our final home game for our supporters. The Stoke people have really picked the baton up.

"They have shown what can be achieved if everyone sticks together. The unity in the club has been the key to our success."

There are huge games at the top and bottom of the table this weekend.

Manchester United need only a point against Arsenal to secure a third consecutive title while defeats for Middlesbrough, at home to Aston Villa, and West Brom, who host Liverpool, could see them relegated.