West Ham joint owner David Gold has announced the club won t break the bank to hold on to England stars Matt Upson and Rob Green

West Ham joint owner David Gold has announced the club won't break the bank to hold on to England stars Matt Upson and Rob Green.

Both Gold and Sullivan have consistently said that their main aims are to keep the Hammers in the Premier League and to get the club back into the black.

And with both Green and Upson's contracts up at the end of next season, talks about extending their deals will probably take place in the summer, however, Gold has warned that the club will not be held to ransom.

"Our priority was to work hard until the transfer window closed. We wanted to get a few players in," Gold said.

"Now we've done that we have to ensure Premier League survival.

"We can now sit down and look at players' contracts.

"With regards to Upson and Green, it depends on our finances.

"We will do everything we can to retain our best players, but at the same time we can't give money we don't have."

The duo are pulling no punches and his comments back up Sullivan's warning last week: "In the summer Upson will have 12 months to go on his contract. So unless Matthew wants to sign a new deal, he will be sold in the summer."

The tightening of belts has already begun with the removal of some staff within the club and the loan signing of striker Mido, who is on just �1,000 a week.

The Egyptian is joined at West Ham by fellow front men Benni McCarthy from Blackburn and Brazilian Ilan, who was recently released by French club Saint Etienne.

"I am here to play football and to prove a point, definitely. I am very happy to be here," said Mido, for whom West Ham will be his 10th club.

"I had to sacrifice some things but this is a great club and I am sure I will do well here, hopefully."

Ilan was equally positive about his opportunity in the East End.

"I am very happy to have signed and to play here," he said.

"I spoke to Gianfranco Zola and he is a very nice guy. I spoke a little Italian and a little French to him. I am happy to be here and it is a great opportunity for me.

"West Ham are a big club in England and a very traditional club.