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West Ham United manager Gianfranco Zola is delighted to have striker Craig Bellamy fit and pushing for a starting spot at Upton Park.

The 29-year-old Wales international featured as a substitute against Fulham last weekend, having overcome niggling groin problems which have disrupted Bellamy's start to the new season.

Zola commented: "Craig's character is not a problem. I know he has his own character, a strong one, but I'm not asking him to change.

"I just want him to play well on the pitch and get along with the others. I'm sure he understands that. He's doing that at the moment and is doing very well.

"If you want a winning team you need players with strong characters. As long as they are positive characters, I don't mind them at all.

"This week he has worked very hard and very well. I'm very impressed with him, he is fit.

"He knows that the team is playing well and he will get his chance to play. He knows he is a very important part of this team.

"Against Fulham he played 20 minutes and maybe the next time he will play more, we will have to see.

"But even if he doesn't play straight away, he knows that he's a very important player for this club."