Gianfranco Zola set to splash the cash this Christmas... on Katy Perry lingerie for his wife

Fear not West Ham fans - boss Gianfranco Zola has set his sights on splashing the cash this Christmas.

The Hammers boss is eyeing up a £300 piece of Katy Perry Lingerie for his darling wife after the pop star showed off her claret and blue basque at the recent MTV Music Awards.

Stunning Perry wowed the watching world when she slipped on the little number for boyfriend and diehard Hammers fan Russell Brand with the comedian’s nickname splashed across her backside.

And Zola says he might even be persuaded to slip something special into his missus’s Christmas stocking.

“I don’t know if I’ll buy it yet but I’ll see,” said the little Italian. “I have to see first what it looks like and then I will decide.”

Zola, whose side have won just twice in the league this season ahead of today’s ome clash with Burnley, has also warned his underperforming stars they could be in line for embarrassment.

Asked about threatening his players with wearing women’s underwear, the Italian laughed hard at the idea of Carlton Cole in a corset and claimed, “That would be a good idea!“

The Hammers take on Burnley in dire need of three points having won just once at Upton Park this season.

And Zola reckons his team are failing to show their potential after insisting his side should be challenging further up the table.

“We are a good team and in my opinion we can reach a higher level,” he added.

“It is down to us to find those things on the pitch that will produce points and confidence which will give us the strength to get there.

“I believe in this team - it is a side that can be a very good team in the Premier League but we need to find a way to show everybody how good we can be.”

Scott Parker will captain the side in the absence of regular skipper Matthew Upson, but Zola reckons the England defender will be back in action sooner rather than later after suffering a hamstring strain.

He added: “Matthew had a problem with his hamstring. It was in training on Wednesday. We should know something more on that today.”