The Hammers crashed out of the Carling Cup to Watford at the end of a traumatic day that could cost them £30million, by Sheffield United's estimation.

There are concerns a hefty fine could eat into funds for players, but Zola said: "Let me have these concerns if that happens. It's something the club is handling right now, when the decision is made then we'll make some considerations.

"We have to keep working like this (with this squad) until January anyway and I'm happy to do that."

Zola suffered his first defeat as Hammers boss as Hayden Mullins put through his own net at Vicarage Road to settle the third-round tie.

Watford boss Aidy Boothroyd, however, did not feel the stroke of luck for the winner made up for the phantom goal his side conceded against Reading at the weekend.

He thought there may have been a conspiracy when Peter Walton - who gave a penalty against Watford two years ago when the ball struck Chris Powell's head - was named as a late replacement for Kevin Stroud as referee.

"I did smile when I saw it was him. I thought we'd get Peter or Kevin Friend, who didn't give the goal in the play-offs," Boothroyd said.

"There are no hard feelings and you hope at some point in your life you get the rub of the green. But it doesn't make up for Saturday. Not after that. We're due a bit more luck.

"Keith Stroud was ill so we had Peter, who I know because he gave a handball for a 'faceball'. I saw him at a service station after the game in a toilet and told him he made a howler - but he is a very good referee and he did well again."

Watford's winner came with 20 minutes remaining after debutant Walter Lopez was penalised for handball. Lee Williamson swung over the free-kick from the right, goalkeeper Jan Lastuvka dived over the dipping cross, with the ball hitting Mullins and trickling over the line.

Lastuvka, also making his first appearance for the Hammers, had previously kept his side level with saves to deny Tommy Smith and Jordan Parkes.

Matthew Upson hit the top of the bar in the closing stages but Watford held on, despite Jay DeMerit hobbling down the tunnel and leaving the hosts with 10 men for the final five minutes.

"I can't tell him (Lastuvka) anything because he made a fantastic save before he was very unlucky," said Zola, refusing to blame his goalkeeper.

"I said to the players that it doesn't have to change our positive attitude to the work we're doing. It would be too easy to think everything would be bright.

"I didn't even know about this (the tribunal ruling). I don't want to have any excuses like that."