West Ham manager Gianfranco Zola has played down speculation that the club will be forced to sell their best players in the January transfer window.
The Hammers are facing financial problems after owner Bjorgolfur Gudmundsson's bank, Landsbanki, went into receivership in October.
Craig Bellamy, Scott Parker and Matthew Upson are among those who have been linked with moves away from Upton Park.
But Zola said: "It's not true we want to sell our best players."
The Hammers - facing the prospect of a fresh Premier League and Football Association enquiry into conduct of the club over the Carlos Tevez affair - have already rejected bids from Manchester City for striker Bellamy and midfielder Parker.
Zola admitted in November that he intended to sell players in January, despite not being given any ultimatums by the club owners.
But the Italian paid tribute to his team, and Bellamy, for a fine performance in Saturday's 2-2 draw with Newcastle at St James' Park.
606: DEBATEThe Welshman scored against his former club, and Zola said: "If you see the way Craig moves about the pitch it is fantastic.
"He is an exemplary professional and he has performed very, very well - not only him but everybody.
"They (the players) are outstanding and I would say their performances have gone even higher in this period.
"Being a footballer I know it's not easy when you have so many words around you to concentrate and perform."
Zola has already indicated a preference to trim the Hammers' squad since succeeding Alan Curbishley in September.
Since the transfer window opened on 1 January, winger Matthew Etherington has joined Stoke City, while midfielder Lee Bowyer has moved to Birmingham City on loan.
However, defender Calum Davenport's proposed switch to Bolton Wanderers fell thorough.
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