Former Brighton boss Chris Hughton is being lined up for a return to management at Watford.

The Daily Mail says contact between the Hornets and Hughton has taken place and will accelerate once Quique Sanchez Flores is formally sacked.

The Hornets, though, are keeping their options open with regards to Flores' replacement, with Hughton not the only early contender.

Paul Clement is understood to be a candidate, while the club's Italian owners understood to have been inundated with options from various intermediaries with a final decision on their next manager still to be made.

But Hughton has big admirers at Vicarage Road, with Watford chiefs believing the ex-Newcastle boss has all the attributes to help the club successfully fight relegation.