Watford attacker Adalberto Penaranda expects to secure his Spanish passport before the New Year.

On-loan with Malaga, the Venezuela international has just returned to full fitness and quickly won over coach Michel.

"Soon I will have the Spanish passport. A month ago I passed the tests and they only need to be delivered. I already did all the paperwork and I have very little left to do.

"The normal thing is that before 2018 I will have it. I hope so," Penaranda told AS.

The young attacker is expected to stay with Malaga for the remainder of the season, though his new passport frees up a non-EU spot in their squad for the January market.