Ilunga, on loan from French side Toulouse for the season, has insisted he is happy playing under Zola but also revealed ambitions to eventually play for a bigger club.

"I know Ilunga very well," Zola said of the left-back.

"He is totally committed to what he is doing here and his answers were taken in the wrong way.

"He is happy to be here and is looking to sign a contract with the club. As far as I'm concerned he is a player I will try to sign."

While Ilunga is a possible arrival, Zola is likely to sell players when the transfer window opens.

The Italian feels a 24-man squad is too big, although he will not sell key men such as Dean Ashton or Matthew Upson.

"We will consider selling some of them but we are not going to sell the best players," he said.

"They (Ashton and Upson) are among the best players we have.

"This club wants to progress so we are not going to sell our best players. This is what I am told by the club and I trust the club 100 per cent.

"Right now we don't need to bring anyone in. When everyone is back there will be many, so maybe some players will go away to play."

Zola, meanwhile, has reflected on Roy Keane's departure at Sunderland and hopes fellow newcomers as managers will be given time to establish themselves.

"I am sure that he is going to be back soon stronger," Zola said.

"Having said that I know that in football now - even in this country - it's becoming more and more difficult to set up your own long-term project.

"People are expecting results straight away and I have to say for the managers it's becoming difficult.

"You need time to establish your ideas and get the players doing what you want. Like in other countries, it looks like time is running out."