Marco Silva issues challenge to frustrated Watford players

Skipper Deeney has yet to start a Premier League game under the new Hornets boss and was brought on for the closing stages of last weekend's 6-0 thrashing by Manchester City when the result was already beyond doubt.

Silva, though, has no issue with the approach of the forward, who has seen club-record £18.5million summer signing Andre Gray the preferred option in attack.

"Troy is our captain and he did a very good season last season," the Portuguese coach said.

"He needs minutes in his legs, but what I saw of him in training is someone who works hard. I believe he wants more minutes, like all the others, and he works hard for that, this is the most important (thing) for me."

Silva added at a press conference: "It is normal for the seven who stay on the bench to be frustrated.

"After they come here (to training), if they are unhappy, what they need to show is what Troy and the others try to do (and that is) to show to me they want to play in the first XI."

Watford head to Swansea on Saturday looking for an instant response from their home mauling by City and without a goal in three matches.

Silva said: " This (defeat) is a good match for us to learn something (from). Now is the moment to react.

"We did some things in the wrong way, which we need to improve.

"It was a bad afternoon, but it was in the past and we must look forward."

Defender Younes Kaboul continues to recover from a hamstring problem and is not expected back until after the international break.

Sebastian Prodl agreed a new four-year contract earlier this week, although the Austrian defender remains in the treatment room despite improvement on a thigh injury.

Centre-half Miguel Britos is serving out a three-game suspension for his red card against Brighton, but right-back Kiko Femenia should be available after missing the Manchester City defeat as a precaution because of a head injury.