Midfielder Tom Dele-Bashiru has an extra gear that head coach Tom Cleverley hopes to help him unlock after the 24-year-old signed a new two-year contract with Watford, that carries the option of a further year.

There was some concern that Dele-Bahiru may move elsewhere, but he has put pen to paper and Cleverley sees him as a key figure as he reshapes the team.

“I’m absolutely delighted he’s signed, and I think we have a really strong midfield,” the Watford boss said.

“Tom is right at the forefront of that, and is a player who you can tell has come through a top academy.

“He’s intelligent, very comfortable on the ball and suits the way we want to play down to a tee.

“And I think the exciting thing about Tom is there is an extra gear there as well, once he really develops the killer passes and picks up a couple more goals.

“I remember the season Michael Carrick went from a really well-respected player to the next level where he opened up his passing range, was getting assists and so on.

“Tom has that in him too, and he is a key part of the team that I am delighted has decided to stay.”

Dele-Bashiru moved to Vicarage Road from Manchester City as an 19-year-old in the summer of 2019.

He’s since made 49 appearances and scored four times for the Hornets, and also made 39 outings for Reading on loan during the 2021/22 season.

Last term he was played as a right back by Valerien Ismael, but Cleverley is in no doubt about Dele-Bashiru will be utilised.

“He’ll be a No.6, a player who really controls the game and sets the tempo,” stressed the head coach.

“It’s a position that will make sure we dominate possession and give us a really solid platform to attack from.”

The midfielder has had some injury issues during his career, but Cleverley sees no cause for concern.

“He looks really fit and hasn’t missed a minute of training in pre-season,” he said.

“He returned a week early because he is hungry to do well this season, and for me sometimes players can unfairly get the ‘injury prone’ tag.

“I think that has been the case for Tom a little bit, and I have no doubts about his fitness.”