Monday 28 August 2017 12:47, UK
Marco Silva has admitted Watford are in need of a left-back but played down speculation over a move for Arsenal's Kieran Gibbs.
Experienced Greek Jose Holebas, suspended for Saturday's goalless draw with Brighton, is the only recognised left-sided full-back currently at Vicarage Road.
Miguel Britos filled in for Holebas against the Seagulls but the Uruguayan will now serve a three-match ban after being shown a straight red card for a late tackle on Anthony Knockaert.
Hornets manager Silva is keen to strengthen that area of his team, but would not reveal whether England international Gibbs was on his radar.
"He's not our player, of course we need a left-back," Silva said. "I think the situation at left-back is clear for everybody.
"We have only Holebas in our roster and in a normal situation you need one more."
Portuguese Silva wants to bring in other reinforcements, although he would not discuss what positions he is searching for.
"We try to find more players for the positions we need," he added. "Of course, I don't want to talk if he's a centre-back, if he's a striker, if he's a winger, or whatever, but our board knows what I want for the team.
"It's the moment we work as a club and our board will work hard in the market until August 31 because we need to. They know what I need, what I want for the team and what we need as a club as well."
Brighton boss Chris Hughton played down suggestions of lengthier suspensions for particularly bad tackles following Britos' horror challenge on Knockaert.
"I think probably, right at this moment, because it's happened and it's fresh, that's probably not the time to talk about whether it should be a longer ban," Hughton said.
"They're the decisions and the topics to talk about in the summer, at some other time, just not on the back of when something's happened, as fresh as it is.
"What I can do is comment on the tackle and how I saw it and I knew straight away that it would be a red card."
