Watford manager Claudio Ranieri would like all players to be vaccinated to help keep Covid-19 at bay.

Tottenham’s Europa Conference League game with Rennes on Thursday night has been called off following a coronavirus outbreak at the London club.

Spurs boss Antonio Conte gave an emotional press conference on Wednesday afternoon, revealing the worsening situation had left everyone “a bit scared” and worried for their families.

Fellow Italian coach Ranieri, 70, feels players should take up the offer of a vaccine but accepts it is a personal choice.

“I think the more important thing is all the players must be vaccinated, because we play every three days now and meet a lot of players,” Ranieri said ahead of Watford’s Premier League match against Brentford on Friday night.

“It is important, the vaccine, because if something happens with the vaccine it is very slow – without the vaccine, it is a big risk.

“I understand Conte and I hope here in Watford everything continues to be okay.”

Ranieri added: “Of course I have to respect everybody, but they must know that we stay together and if they then come (with the virus), they can infect something, so then it is important that everybody must be vaccinated.”

The Italian does not know how many of his Watford squad have been vaccinated, but is confident the club’s own Covid-19 protocols are robust.

"We have to continue in this way, it is very important to maintain the correct distance and make a Covid test every two days and go with a mask,” Ranieri said.

“We haven’t had a Christmas party… never… we stay at home with our family.

“We have all the restricted areas here, we are okay at the moment, but you know that Covid comes in every situation.”