Tommy Smith says he wants to stay at Watford as long as the club can demonstrate it is moving in the right direction.

Watford chairman Graham Simpson admitted last week more player sales cannot be ruled out in the January transfer window.

Smith netted his 50th goal for the club last week and with his superb form this season there will be no shortage of interest in him.

Reading and Stoke were reported to have been keen on luring Smith away during the summer.

But the former Derby player insists his future lies at Vicarage Road, provided the club shows the right ambition.

The departures of Danny Shittu and Darius Henderson during pre-season have reduced the depth and quality in the squad and Smith wants to be part of a progressive club – not one which offloads their best players.

He also feels it would be in the best interests of everyone if a decision regarding new investment, one way or the other, was reached as quickly as possible.

Smith said: "When I moved back here I always saw my future here as long as the club is moving in the right direction and are looking to build then without a doubt it is a club I want to be part of. I think everyone knows what the way forward is.

"If the club is up for sale then that's obviously the position of the board. You will have to ask them about what they want to do with the club. But I think it would be good to get things sorted one way or another so the club can start moving forward."

When asked about the possibility of the club accepting an offer for him, he said: "It's something I will have to deal with at the time.

"If you ask any player, they don't think too much into the future especially about moving away from a club, because I'm sure that would affect your form and the way you look at things.

"I'm not the kind of player to think about that so I will deal with that when it happens. But hopefully the club will be in a much better position come January so hopefully we will be building rather than losing."