Watford boss Javi Gracia can see captain Troy Deeney managing the club in the future.

Before defeat to Manchester City on Saturday, the Spaniard once again stressed the importance of Deeney to the club and said he, as well as a few others, would not be out of place in a coaching role.

He said: “There are players now in this moment. I see (Tom) Cleverley, I see (Adrian) Mariappa, I see Troy, I see (Adam) Masina.

“In this moment if you ask me I tell you they can be coaches.

“Troy has been very important for us from the beginning and he's going to be important until the end. I'm not very interested in some stats to have my own opinion and in this case, I know how important Troy is for us.

“I know he needs his teammates to be able to show his characteristics and all the things he can do.

“Troy is important from the moment when you arrive. He's been in this team a long time, he knows better than anyone the club and all the things happening here."