Friday 10 February 2017 21:36, UK
Walter Mazzarri is keen to keep on-loan Everton midfielder Tom Cleverley at Watford beyond the end of the season.
The 27-year-old, who previously spent time on loan at Watford during the 2009-10 season, returned to Vicarage Road in January with a view to a permanent transfer in the summer.
Cleverley has quickly settled into life back at the club, helping Watford claim much-needed victories over Arsenal and Burnley which has lifted them up to 10th and away from immediate relegation danger.
He is expected to start against former side Manchester United at Old Trafford on Saturday and, ahead of that match, Mazzarri has stated his desire to make Cleverley's move to the club permanent.
"I want to say Tom Cleverley has surprised me in a positive way in how well he managed to get in this environment," Mazzarri said.
"It seems like he has been playing for us since a long time. Of course it would make me very happy if he would stay here with us because he is not only a great player but we need him as well."
Cleverley was one of three signings made by Mazzarri during the January transfer window, with forwards M'Baye Niang and Mauro Zarate also joining the Hornets.
A four-match unbeaten run has moved Watford 10 points clear of the relegation zone and Mazzarri feels the new arrivals have lifted the entire first-team squad.
"I always said that competition is very important for us and for the players," Mazzarri said.
"The players that are coming back and starting to play means there is competition. Even Troy [Deeney], you see he is doing extremely well now, much more than before.
"He knows that I expect the maximum intensity in training because at the end of training I take my decisions and decide who can play."
