Tomkins has made huge strides this season and it is understood that Capello was impressed with the 20-year-old and midfielder Mark Noble while watching last week's defeat to Liverpool.

Noble is a certainty to be picked for England Under-21s this summer for their European Championships in Sweden, and Hammers boss Zola has also tipped Tomkins for a call-up.

Zola believes Tomkins has a chance of going to South Africa with the seniors, emulating Rio Ferdinand's inclusion for the 1998 World Cup when he was at Upton Park.

"Whether he will be at the World Cup or not depends on how he progresses over the next few months," Zola said. "Of course I believe in him. I trust him as a player.

"He has to realise he is just starting out and still a long way away. He has to be consistent. Other than that, he has all the primary qualities, now it is down to his work."

So far Tomkins has played for England at Under-20 level but Zola has tipped his defender to make the next level, regardless of whether he is tired after his breakthrough season.

"I will be very surprised if he was not involved in the Under-21 tournament," Zola said. "I have not spoken to Stuart Pearce but I am sure he is following him.

"How could I stop him playing for his country? If he is selected he will be dying to play for his country in an important competition like this."

Tomkins is set to face Everton this weekend in a Barclays Premier League clash that Zola feels his side need to win to maintain their hopes of qualifying for the Europa League.

The outlook at West Ham is very different from when they last played Everton and Zola appeared to be under pressure after the defeat.

"There was some pressure, yes, as your work is on the line, you are on the line, your credibility is on the line," Zola said.

"I never doubted my qualities and those of my staff and players. I knew that I knew that I had to be faithful and now we are celebrating which is a very good thing for us."

Zola has turned the club's season around and is now looking towards the likes of Everton boss David Moyes as an example of what can be achieved.

"I value what he has done very much, he has done a great job there," he said. "We want to be there, competing with the top teams and trying to find a way to sneak into a space. That is our project. We hope that we can do the same.

"One of the secrets has been that he has created a great environment, a nice atmosphere, and also tactically he is aware.

"He has used his players and got the best out of his players."