Head coach Valerien Ismael explained last week it will be ‘one in, one out’ during this January transfer window – but it won’t necessarily be a case of swapping like for like.

With Imran Louza leaving on loan and Rhys Healey joining Huddersfield permanently, there are gaps in both midfield and attack.

However, Ismael made it clear that while he intends to add to his squad, it may be that those coming in are not the same profile as those going out – and he added that he believes the performances of Tom Dele-Bashiru at right back mean he can “bridge the gap” until Jeremy Ngakia is fit.

“It is not necessarily like for like,” he said.

“It is more the case that do we have the chance to add something else, something that we don’t already have in the squad?

“So much depends on what is possible in the market. You either pay good money for a player, or you get a player on loan.

“It’s a tough decision each time because I want a player who is ready to play. When they come in I need them to be able to play the next day.

“Behind the scenes, we are working hard, we know the profile and what we need, and I am confident we can get what we expected. Hopefully we will bring some players in next week.

“We are working intensively to make things happen, and the sooner the better.”

Last January, Watford had a new Technical Director who brought with him a team of scouts – who is involved in the transfer process this time around?

“The board, the sporting director and myself,” said the Watford boss.

“We work closely. Every day there is at least one meeting to be sure we are up to date about each situation.

“With the system we have and the way we play, the profile we have for each position is clear.

“On one hand that makes it a little bit difficult because we know exactly the profile we need, but on the other hand when you find it then you know you have exactly the right player.”

With Ngakia still ruled out for at least a month or more, Ryan Andrews is the only right-back in the squad – and when he needed a rest before Christmas, Dele-Bashiru stepped in.

“I think Tom is able to do the job,” said Ismael.

“We have seen clearly that he has improved from game to game, and for sure at the start there was a tactical mistake with positioning but you have to accept that.

“He gives us something very positive in that position, and gives us the right balance.

“He likes playing there, and as long as he is able to do the job and he gives us that feeling that he gives us what we need, he will bridge the gap until Jeremy comes back.

“He allows us not to go into the market.”

So, is cover for Jake Livermore something being considered?

“That is one area we assess all the time, and we know that Sierralta is able to play there because we saw that at the beginning of the season,” Ismael explained.

“But we know that with all the games we will face in February and March, at some point you need to rotate and it is good if you have the opportunity to do that.”

In the summer, Ismael tried and failed to find a second left-footed central defender to provide cover for Wes Hoedt.

“It’s not a secret that I liked to play with a right-footed centre back and a left-footed centre back, and it’s best if you can have a back-up as well,” said Ismael.

“So it’s always on my mind until I get the right picture within my squad – whether we can do it now, or in the summer, then we will.”