ZOLA HOPEFUL OF TRISTAN DEAL

West Ham boss Gianfranco Zola is confident he can defy the credit crunch to bring Spanish striker Diego Tristan to Upton Park.

Tristan failed to make a mark at Italian club Livorno last season, and the new Hammers' manager insists the club is keen to bring the 32-year-old to east London.

West Ham hitman Dean Ashton will be out until at least the New Year with an ankle injury, but Zola has been told he can only bring in new players if he sells other squad members first, after Hammers' owner Bjogolfor Gudmundsson lost a reported £230m following the collapse of Icelandic bank Landisbank.

Tristan arrived at Upton Park at the end of September, and Zola has extended the former Spanish international talisman's trial to get a closer look at the experienced forward.

Tristan scored 78 goals in 177 games for Depotivo La Coruna from 2000-2006 but scored just once in his 21 appearances for Livorno last season.

Zola said: "Diego's working very hard and we're pleased with him.

"He could be a good alternative. He's got a lot of experience and skills.

"He can do well as long as he gets fit."