The Hammers, who started their pre-season with a 2-1 win at local side Grays Athletic over the weekend, have travelled to Austria for a 10-day training camp ahead of four warm-up games.

Jimenez, 25, joined up with the group for the first time since sealing a season-long loan from Inter Milan.

Zola believes the attack-minded South American can prove a real asset, but, with striker Dean Ashton still on the recovery trail from his long injury lay-off, accepts the Hammers could still do with another body in attack - which could see him bid for Gudjohnsen, the former Chelsea man now surplus to requirements at Barcelona.

"He will give us something extra especially in the last 30 metres. That is the kind of player we have got," Zola said of Jimenez, the man dubbed 'The Wizard'.

However, Zola added: "We are trying to spot what our weaknesses are.

"Certainly we need to improve up front and that is the majority of the job."

The Hammers, who will see the rest of their internationals join up with the squad over the next few days after some extra time off, face Flavia Solva in Wagna on Wednesday before games with German Cup holders Werder Bremen, Turkish side Bursaspor, then against ND Nura in Slovenia on July 23.

Zola's men will also head out to China for the Barclays Asia Trophy as part of their pre-season campaign.

Defender Danny Gabbidon got his first taste of real action in some 18 months when he played against Grays.

The 29-year-old Welshman has targeted a return to full fitness for the opening of the new campaign.

"It feels really good to be back," Gabbidon told the club's official website, www.whufc.com.

"It has been quite a long time and I have had a few problems with injuries.

"I developed some problems with my back and groin and it just proved quite hard to get rid of the problem."

Gabbidon added: "I have had to be patient. I have done a lot of work with the physios at West Ham and finally I have got there and it is nice to be back out on the pitch and performing in a West Ham shirt.

"There are a lot more games throughout pre-season so hopefully by the time the season comes around I will be in good shape and ready to go."