Reports over the weekend that midfielder Yaser Asprilla would only play for Watford Under-21s for the rest of the season are totally incorrect.

The young Colombian has made 28 appearances this season but has not featured for the first team in the last two games (away to Reading, home to Blackburn).

Last Tuesday, Asprilla - who only turned 19 in November - played the second 45 minutes of the Under-21’s game with Crewe Alexandra, along with the likes of Tom Cleverley, Wesley Hoedt and Britt Assombalonga.

Then, at the weekend, stories appeared mainly in South America that Watford had decided Asprilla would spend the rest of the season with the Under-21s, while also remaining available for the senior team if required.

However, head coach Slaven Bilic explained this morning that is not the case.

“Yaser is a player I like; he’s that kind of player who you know has the ability to produce something to help your team,” he said.

“For his age and the size of this club, we have asked a lot from him during this season because of all the injuries we’ve had. He’s very young, still a teenager, and he has got real talent so we need to give that time to develop.

“Yes he played in the Under-21s last week; so did some other guys who needed minutes – but he is not an Under-21 player, he is a first-team player who we want to see grow and develop.

“I won’t be frightened to use the 21s option again, for him and for other players. There’s no question Yaser has a bright future, we need to make sure we take care with him so hopefully we won’t need to ask too much of him again.”

Asprilla moved to Vicarage Road from Colombian side Envigado in the summer, and made his Watford debut as a late substitute in the win over Burnley in August.

He has gone on to make 12 starts in the league and two in cup games, and a further 14 appearances from the bench in the Championship.

As well as his run-out for the Under-21’s last week, Asprilla was one of a number of first-team players who featured in the Under-21’s 4-2 win at QPR in October.