Troy Deeney will remain Watford's captain this season

Troy Deeney will remain Watford's captain this season, manager Marco Silva revealed on Thursday.

Silva previously refused to confirm whether the 29-year-old would lead the club during their 2017/18 campaign, with recent club-record signing Andre Gray casting an element of doubt over Deeney's first-team place.

But, as the Portuguese boss prepares for his first season as Hornets boss, Silva stressed he has no plans to change the team's captain.

"He's our player and our captain," said Silva.

"He's important to us and is our captain and of course I want to keep him in the team.

"I don't have reason to change our captain and I would talk to the players and let you know. He's our captain, like Ben Watson and [Heurelho] Gomes are our sub-captains. I don't have reason to change."

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The Hornets host Liverpool in their Premier League opener on Saturday, live on Sky Sports, and Silva made clear Deeney remains firmly in his plans, even if a groin problem rules him out this weekend.

The manager confirmed Deeney trained with the first time for a portion of Wednesday's session and is making good process after undergoing surgery on his groin.

A decision on the player's fitness will be made on Friday and Silva remains confident Deeney, who has scored 100 goals since joining the club in 2010, will be relishing the new season.

"If he progresses well in the next few days he will start full training," said Silva.

"It was not serious; when he comes he will be ready to help the team."