The Hammers boss is more than happy to see Neill remain at the club and is delighted with the Australian captain's efforts this season.

He said:  "Robert Green is due to sign a new contract and the club are also speaking to Lucas Neill. I think they are happy to stay.

"I don't think he (Neill) asked for a pay rise but I think the club have tried to make him happy.

"He is a player who has done a lot for us this year and the club want to extend his contract."

Neill was a target for Newcastle United during the January transfer window but the Hammers made it clear they were not interested in letting him go.

Zola has described his pride at convincing Scott Parker to commit his future to West Ham and has urged the club's other stars to follow his lead.

Parker was linked with a move to cash-rich Manchester City in January but remained at Upton Park and last week signed a new deal keeping him with the Hammers until 2013.

For Zola that represents a significant triumph and he is now hopeful that other key men, including England goalkeeper Robert Green and Lucas Neill, will join the midfielder in agreeing extensions.

Highly-rated centre-half Matthew Upson is another player with wealthy admirers and Zola would also be keen to hold on to him.

The Italian insists that tying down Parker, who had a largely unhappy stint with Chelsea following his £10million move from Charlton in 2004, is a step in the right direction.

"We are very proud to keep a player like him. It shows we are doing a good job and the players appreciate what we are doing," said Zola.

"It's not a matter of money because if it was he would have gone.

"He likes what we are doing here and that's a positive sign."

Zola enjoyed a rather more distinguished career at Stamford Bridge than Parker and is still looked upon as arguably the club's finest foreign import.

But he insists that players should look for time on the pitch more than the glamour - not to mention the financial rewards - available at the likes of Chelsea and City.

"I would personally not go to a team who can give me a lot of money but not play me," Zola said.

"That is the problem with the squads at the big teams.

"They have 24 internationals, sometimes more, so they don't get many games."

On the ongoing negotiations with his other top players, Zola added: "Robert Green is due to sign a new contract and the club are also speaking to Lucas Neill. I think they are happy to stay.

"I don't think he (Neill) asked for a pay rise but I think the club have tried to make him happy.

"He is a player who has done a lot for us this year and the club want to extend his contract."

Zola also had praise for 20-year-old midfielder Jack Collison, who is likely to remain in the side to face Bolton at the Reebok Stadium on Saturday.

Collison has unexpectedly emerged as a central figure for West Ham this season due to injuries and Zola thinks there is even more to come from the Wales international.

"Jack Collison has been a real surprise for me, not just because of his qualities but because of his personality," Zola said.