Troy Deeney has dismissed rumours of a fight in the Watford changing room at half-time during the 3-1 defeat at West Ham on Friday.

Head coach Nigel Pearson was given the sack two days after match, sparking rumours of a skirmish between himself and players.

Deeney is the latest from the club to claim that there was no such fight and said that the worst the dressing room saw was a stern telling off from Pearson.

"I just want to put out there, there was no fight at half-time," the captain told BeIn Sports.

"It's 2020. We don't do that anymore. You know, certainly with all the cameras and everything, you'd certainly see a lot more if that was the case.

"The gaffer didn't put his hands on anybody. He was just frustrated and had a firm talking to, so no one was fighting, no one was punched, no one was even tickled. I don't know, whatever way there was: no hands thrown, let's just put it that way."

Deeney admitted the sacking had caught him by surprise and also addressed some claims that he would have a say in picking the teams for the remaining two matches.

"It's strange obviously, we didn't see it coming," he said. "I think you get to a point in football where you're not surprised anymore but I would say that this one certainly, you know, took me back a bit.

“Second of all, Troy will not be picking teams — because I’ve read that online as well. I’m player-coach, apparently. Anything else I’ve missed?”