Troy Deeney and Odion Ighalo going nowhere in January, claims Watford boss
ByPA Sport
Updated 10/01/2016 at 15:33 GMT
Watford manager Quique Sanchez Flores is unconcerned about Arsenal's reported interest in Troy Deeney and is confident his captain will remain at Vicarage Road.
Odion Ighalo of Watford
Image credit: PA Photos
Deeney, who scored the winner in Watford's 1-0 FA Cup third-round win against Newcastle on Saturday, has been linked with a surprise move to north London this month.
But Flores believes Deeney and his strike partner Odion Ighalo, who dropped to the bench for Saturday's Cup clash, will still be at Watford when the transfer window closes.
"It is normal as Deeney has scored a lot," said Flores when asked about Arsenal's interest in his captain, whose winner against the Magpies was his seventh goal of an impressive campaign.
"It is important for the confidence of the players and I am happy because he is scoring but I am not worried about what happens in the future.
"Deeney and Ighalo are good players for this team, and for this project we need players of this level. I am sure these players will not be going in the middle of the season."
Deeney capitalised on a woefully misplaced backpass by Georginio Wijnaldum to coolly convert the only goal of the game on the stroke of half-time.
Newcastle, who have now lost their last four FA Cup ties, enjoyed greater possession than the Hornets and created the game's best chances, but were made to rue a number of wasted opportunities.
It marked the fourth successive 1-0 defeat for Steve McClaren's side, and the travelling support at Vicarage Road turned on their team, and their owner Mike Ashley, at the final whistle.
But Flores expects Newcastle, who now have only their Premier League survival to focus on, will provide a stern test when they again travel to Watford later this month.
Flores added: "Newcastle is an amazing team. They have amazing players, amazing strikers. They have power, velocity and players of high technical (ability).
"In the first half they probably had control of the match and they created attempts, but the second half was a little bit different.
"Newcastle have a good trainer and well-respected coach. But in football sometimes you have a squad of good quality and the results are not good and they are nervous and not completely confident.
"But we respect Newcastle and in two weeks we have to play this team and again it will be a very tough match."
Scan me
Share this article
Advertisement
Advertisement