Mattie Pollock’s transfer request was followed by rumours that Ryan Porteous might be on his way to Italy, and while Valerien Ismael didn’t rule out either leaving he made it clear it will only be if it allows Watford to bring in someone that makes the squad better.

Pollock has reportedly attracted interest from home and abroad while the Porteous link with Udinese isn’t the first time his name has been mentioned in connection with the Serie A club – before he joined Watford from Hibs a year ago there were stories suggesting he was heading to the other Pozzo-owned club.

“With Mattie Pollock we have a clear statement with him, and we said if someone comes in then he can go out,” said Ismael.

“But as long as someone has not come in then he has to stay here, and be focussed on the team.

“He is a part of our team, and we expect him to be focussed because at any time we could need him.

“We want full engagement and full performance from him for the club.

“The other one with Porteous is only rumours and we don’t want to make any comment.

“The only thing I can tell you is that over the next five days anything can happen.

“We are aware of the market and we try to make sure that what we can add to our squad will be better.”

The Watford head coach pointed out that by bringing in Dennis, he felt confident he had made the Hornets squad stronger.

“I think by adding Dennis we are now better in some positions and we will do exactly the same in the defence, but always making sure that we find a player who is right for us and will make us better,” he said.

“Otherwise we will stay as we are. We have already played like that for the first eight months and we have been ok.

“For sure, though, if we can add something that will improve our squad then we will do it.”

Ismael has said before he does not like making transfer for the sake of it, but also went back over the fact he would like to strengthen his defence.

“We are working on a clear purpose with the team, and we are working for a while with the players and assessing them, and at some point it’s clear you have to take decisions.

“That is what the transfer window is there for, to allow you to address what you need and find the right players if you don’t already have them in your squad.

“With Dennis, it was his profile I was missing in the squad and now I am absolutely pleased with our attacking line, and with our midfield players I am also absolutely pleased.

“Now maybe in the defence we can do some business and we have some days to do that.

“But, as I say, only if we are able to find the right player.”

The window shuts at 11pm on Thursday, and while Ismael certainly suggested he was looking at his defence, it’s clear it’s quality over quantity.

“We don’t have massive business to do, and that makes it easier for us,” he said.

“There are still six days to the end of the transfer window and we will stay aware and make sure that if we can do something then we will: in and out.”