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West Ham boss Gianfranco Zola has set his sights on a European spot ahead of tonight's Premier League clash with West Brom at Upton Park.

Zola took over from Alan Curbishley earlier this season with consolidation and survival his first priorities, but a fine run of the form since the turn of the year has made next season's Europa League - the rebranded UEFA Cup - a real possibility.

The Italy and Chelsea legend, who won the UEFA Cup during his own distinguished playing career, has made no secret of his desire to take the Hammers into continental competition, but he admits there were times when such dreams appeared distant.

"We had our worst run this season in October, I think, we lost several games. I remember a time when we went to play Sunderland away and we were two points from the bottom," said Zola, whose side host bottom club West Brom on Monday night.

"We won that day, but even in the difficult moments this team kept believing in what we are doing here, stuck together and kept with our idea of how to play football.

"Now we are playing very well and that is down to the mental strength we showed in those times.

"The plan is still to strengthen the team this summer. But first of all we need to achieve our targets this year, then we can think about going on and pushing the team on."

On the prospect of European football, Zola enthused: "It might be possible that seventh spot is enough for Europe this season and that would be a great thing for this club.

"Not just for the club to be in Europe, but for the players to play games internationally makes them better.

"I played many times as a player in European competition and I know how it can make a player better to play those kind of games."

As someone who reached the peak of his sport, Zola is similarly enthusiastic about taking West Ham to the very top.

That, of course, means the Champions League.

But with three-quarters of England's traditional big four putting out three Italian sides in last week's fixtures, Zola believes that the level of competition is higher in the Premier League than anywhere else in the world.

"Of course I hope one day to be there, competing with them in the Champions League," he added.

"We will see, though. It depends how well I work, how well I do my job and how well the team does their job, but that is one of the targets we have.

"It is a great moment for English football right now. In this country you can see that the top teams are producing results, quality football and big performances - not only at home but abroad and internationally.

"The football played in this country is the most competitive in Europe."

West Ham are without Valon Behrami, who is out for up to six months with a cruciate knee ligament injury, and Carlton Cole who is suspended; Savio Nsereko may therefore get his chance to partner David Di Michele up front. Jack Collison is also out with a knee injury.

West Brom's on-loan striker Jay Simpson is being evaluated by boss Tony Mowbray ahead of the clash at Upton Park, with Marc-Antoine Fortune and Luke Moore also challenging for a place in attack.

Eurosport