Tom Cleverley expects Yaser Asprilla to leave during this transfer window – but equally, he doesn’t expect captain Wes Hoedt to depart.

Both were at Vicarage Road yesterday to watch Watford beat Stoke City 3-0 at the end of a week when rumours continued to swirl around about the two players.

“Yaser is a fantastic player, he is going to attract attention and I expect him to leave in the window,” Cleverley admitted.

“He’s been in training, he’s doing everything right and he’s a great lad who is well liked in the dressing room.

“There’s only two weeks left in the window and I imagine it’s going to happen in those two weeks.

“Nothing in football is ever certain, but it’s something we are planning towards.”

When asked whether Hoedt had flown out to Riyadh on Friday for a medical and further discussions about a move to Saudi Arabia as had been reported, Cleverley laughed.

“No that I know of, no. Absolutely not,” he said.

Notwithstanding that, should Hoedt depart would it mean Watford would want to bring in two new defenders, and not just the one they are currently close to signing?

“Yes it would, but then I don’t expect Wes to go,” said Cleverley

“We do have more than one target in that area of the pitch if we need them."

Going back to Asprilla, Cleverley said it would make little sense to try and force the youngster to stay at Vicarage Road.

“You’ve got to take into account that if you stop someone going on to the Premier League or to a big club abroad, you could end up with a demotivated player,” he pointed out.

“That might not be good for the environment you’re working in.”

Losing Asprilla would create a gap in the squad and also bring in a significant sum of money.

“Firstly, I couldn’t be more happy with what Giorgi and Edo are doing right now,” said the Watford boss.

“I’m sure with the sale of Yaser there would be a bit more activity, because we’re working hard and we’re in the market.

“I expect there to be additions between now and the end of the window.”