Martin Taylor has confirmed he is in contract talks with Watford and that there has been no suggestion of him leaving the club.
Taylor has been superb since he joined the Hornets on a free transfer in January 2010 and has made 88 appearances for the club.
The 32-year-old is one of seven Watford players out of contract this summer – the other six are Stephen McGinn, Josh Walker, Rene Gilmartin, Michael Bryan, Chez Isaac and Tom James.
When asked if there had been any suggestion of him leaving, Taylor replied: “No nothing at all. It is difficult to say anything until it is all finalised but I am definitely talking to the club about it.”
Watford’s football business director Ross Wilson said: “It is our policy not to comment on personal contract situations.”
However, the club did confirm that none of their current players now have the same “contract ambiguity” which led to Don Cowie controversially leaving Watford for Cardiff City on a free transfer last summer.
Taylor has missed five months of this season due to a collarbone injury and subsequent broken toe, which he suffered during a Reserves game as part of his recovery.
The centre back, who started every league game last season, was out for a few months prior to his arrival at Watford but his five-month lay-off during this campaign was the longest of his career.
He said: “When you are injured it is very frustrating and whilst you can’t do much about it and I wasn’t too long out - unlike Stephen McGinn who has had a year out - to come in every day and watch the lads training, it is tough mentally. So I love being back and part of the team again.”
Taylor had a slightly off day during Saturday’s 1-1 draw with Hull City, when he was forced off at half time due to an eye injury, but on the whole, the defender has impressed since his return.
The former Birmingham City and Blackburn Rovers defender has lost just one of the nine games he has played since his return.
He said: “I think my form has been alright. When I first came back, we won three in a row, which helps you get back into it. Since I have been back, the team have played better away than we have at home for whatever reason but all-in-all, I am pleased with how I have done.”
Watford were the bookies’ favourites to be relegated this season but they have enjoyed a very positive campaign and currently sit in 13th place.
The Hornets are 20 points away from the drop zone and 11 below the play-off places, despite having one of the lowest budgets in the division.
“Overall we have done excellent,” Taylor said. “At the start of the season, we were tipped to go down. We had a slow start but we really picked up and in the last ten games or so we have lost once.
“Even when we are not winning, we are still becoming a very difficult team to play against and I don’t think many teams would want to come up against us. On that side of things, we have done ourselves proud both as a team and a club.”
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