Tuesday 30 January 2018 23:49, UK
Troy Deeney appears set to remain at Watford after the player was the subject of interest during the January transfer window, with assistant coach Zigor Aranalde describing the influential striker as a "leader".
The club captain, understood to have been courted by West Brom, is set to return to the match-day squad for Wednesday's Premier League trip to Stoke after the 29-year-old missed the FA Cup defeat to Southampton last Saturday.
The Baggies completed a loan deal for Liverpool's Daniel Sturridge on Monday, and manager Alan Pardew subsequently revealed that he would not be moving for another striker.
Deeney will travel with the rest of the Hornets squad for the match at the bet365 Stadium, with the club aiming to end a torrid run of form - they have only won once in their last 11 Premier League games.
"[Deeney] is a leader so we need him," said Aranalde, who was speaking at the pre-match conference in the absence of the unwell newly-appointed head coach Javi Gracia.
"He is the skipper and an important player. We are focused on the game at Stoke and Troy trained with the team this week.
"He did well, is ready, available and 100 per cent up for the game."
Get Sky Sports from £18 a month and watch the latest transfers live in action for their new teams
