Neill has been plagued by rumours that his big money salary package at the East End club was going to force him out the door as the Icelandic owners started cutting costs in the wake of the credit crunch.

The club skipper was tipped to exit in January in a bid to win a transfer fee for him ahead of his contract running out this summer.

But while team-mate Craig Bellamy did quit the club for Manchester City, Neill stayed - and now Zola has named him as one of  a trio of key players he wants to re-sign, along with Matthew Upson and Robert Green.

"There are players that have been very important this season on and off the pitch," said Zola. "They are the core of
this team and I believe they can be the core of this team for a long time.

"The club knows this and they are offering them contracts and they deserve that. It is good for stability. They are positive players and they will help us to build something important.

"Hopefully soon Lucas Neill will be signing a contract."

He added: "Things are going well here we just need to understand that we want this to be for a long time. "The idea is to make a blend of experienced players and young talented players to mix together and perform.

"The club has been fantastic this year. In difficult times, in difficult moments - such as when the team wasn't doing well and people kept talking badly about the club - the club kept their composure.

"They backed the team and support them all the time and now they are getting the reward for all the patience they
had in those moments."