Head coach Slaven Bilic didn’t sound like someone after yesterday’s game who knew too much about the possible move of William Troost-Ekong to Italy – and he didn’t come across as particularly comfortable with it either.

The Nigerian captain is said to be on his way to Salernitana, initially on loan until the end of the season but with the possibility of making the move permanent.

The defender has made 17 appearances for Watford this season, famously scoring in the 4-0 win over Luton.

However, it appears that currently the favoured centre back pairing is Craig Cathcart and Francisco Sierralta, and so it would be understandable if the 29-year-old were to go looking for a chance to be a starter elsewhere.

Nonetheless, with Christian Kabasele’s hamstring injury meaning he is still some way from being fit, Troost-Ekong leaving would mean that 21-year-old Mattie Pollock – with just four first-team outings to his name at Watford – would be the only cover.

When asked about the rumours, Bilic said: “There is something about that which I heard before the game. It is not just a rumour I think.

“If it happens we will need to bring somebody in. We need to.

“You can always bring more quality. It doesn’t matter who you are, you can always add quality. Even Real Madrid can add quality.

“A few weeks ago defence was the area of the pitch where we looked to be thick with the quantity of players. We had four or five.

“Now if he goes, and with Kabasele injured, suddenly we are incredibly short.

“So of course we will need to bring somebody in, if we want to do what we want to do, and that is to be promoted.”