West Ham United defender Matthew Upson says the players are aware of the row between manager Gianfranco Zola and the club's owners.

Upson has moved to single out the Italian for praise, insisting that he and his team-mates have never lost faith in their manager despite the rumblings of discontent from the boardroom.

"We are aware of the situation," the England international told the Telegraph. "And we are aware of the manager's feelings and his commitment. The manager deals with it with the players to their faces. Whatever else is said and done, we know the truth and we are together as a group. We are totally understanding and clear of the picture, of what is going on."