Gianfranco Zola believes teenager Freddie Sears can have a bright future at West Ham, but revealed the young forward is likely to be sent out on loan next season.

Academy graduate Sears, 19, has made seven starts and 15 appearances from the bench this season, but failed to score for the senior team.

England forward Dean Ashton is expected to be back in contention for a regular place in the Hammers attack next season following surgery on his troublesome ankle, meaning more competition for places - and Zola feels Sears will benefit from a spell of regular first-team football away from Upton Park.

"I think that the right thing to do for him will be to go on loan to play," Zola told the club's official website. "He has worked hard here, but has not been playing enough, sometimes 10 minutes, sometimes a full game.

"Probably he never got what he wanted. He has improved as a player but he needs to play regularly."

Zola added: "Unfortunately here it is difficult for him. Next season he will have the possibility of going on loan and to prove himself. Then he will come back here as we believe that he is an important player for us in future."