GRAYS Athletic boss Julian Dicks has snapped up West Ham manager Gianfranco Zola’s son Andrea on loan for a month.

The left-back is one of eight players former Hammers defender Dicks has brought in this week ahead Saturday’s Blue Square Premier home match against promotion-pushing Oxford United.

“Julian is delighted to be given the opportunity to work closely with one of the up and coming young players at West Ham,” said Dicks' agent James Anderson.

“Andrea is a great young player and Julian hopes he can do all he can to help the player develop into a fantastic left-back.

“Julian would like to thank Gianfranco for allowing Andrea this opportunity and looks forward to linking up closely with West Ham in the future.”

Zola will go straight into the squad for Saturday’s match at the New Rec.

Also arriving are striker Jamie Guy from Colchester United, former Southend United forward Wayne Gray, ex-Fulham midfielder Jordan Wilson and one-time Brentford and Braintree midfielder Alex Rhodes.

Dicks has also made three loan signings, with midfielder Harry Baker has arriving from Leyton Orient, defender Jack Hunt coming in from Huddersfield and goalkeeper Richard Martin in from Yeovil.