Tommie Hoban will not be sold or loaned out in January, the Watford Observer have been told.

Brentford manager Mark Warburton was Hoban's Academy boss at Watford and last month reportedly tried to sign him on loan with a view to a permanent switch.

We understand Watford have no intention of letting the highly-rated centre back leave either permanently or on loan when the transfer window reopens in two weeks time.

We have also been told the Hornets' hierarchy are unhappy with former employee Warburton for commenting on Hoban publicly.

Last month he told Get West London: "I know Tommie is a very talented lad and is another classy player with a great future in the game, but he is also Watford's player, and I don't make a habit of speculating on other club's players."

Hoban, 20, has not featured in the Golden Boys' last five squads and has made just 11 appearances in all competitions this season. But he is highly regarded by the club and still has two-and-a-half years left on his contract.

Warburton left his career as a currency dealer in London to become a football coach just over a decade ago and worked his way up the ranks at Watford.

He went from part-time coach to head of the academy before being demoted to assistant academy manager for 17 to 19-year-olds in 2009. He left the Golden Boys the following year and after impressing as Brentford's first sporting director, was promoted to manager in December 2013 and guided them to automatic promotion in the summer.