Gianfranco Zola rules out Napoli return

Staying focused: Gianfranco Zola has been linked with a move back to Italy but claims he is more concerned with finding success at West Ham
11 April 2012

Gianfranco Zola today dismissed suggestions that he is poised to become manager of Napoli.

Zola, who played for the Italian club at the same time as Diego Maradona, and West Ham technical director Gianluca Nani are on the Serie A club's long-term wanted list.

But the West Ham boss, whose team are second from bottom of the Premier League and face a tough game at Stoke tomorrow, said: "Since I have been here there has been talk about many things but as far as I am concerned my focus is at West Ham. I care about this team and I am determined to do my best for them. If anything my focus is even greater because this is a difficult moment for us but as far as I am concerned, everything I need is here."

Midfield pair Valon Behrami and Jack Collison are both fit for the trip to Stoke but Scott Parker is suspended.

Zola also revealed that defender Calum Davenport, injured in a stabbing incident in August, is back at the club's training ground.

"Calum is back and it was very nice to see him," he said. "He's allowed to do some swimming and work on the bike and it was marvellous to see him around after all the trauma he has been through."

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