WATFORD have secured a loan deal of the former Academy player Chris Eagles. The 19-year-old Manchester United midfielder joined the Hornets on a 39-day loan after Ray Lewington and Old Trafford boss Sir Alex Ferguson agreed the deal last week.

Eagles will join the Watford squad for the trip to Wigan tomorrow (Saturday, January 22) and could make his debut.

"He is obviously a local boy and coming home. He can play a number of positions across the midfield and this gives us another option as we move into a crucial part of the season," said Lewington.

"Sir Alex was happy for him to join us for the remainder of the season but apparently, after Christmas, you are restricted to 93 days."

This would mean the 6ft tall Eagles, who was born in Hemel Hempstead, would be available for all but the last two games of the campaign.

For the full story plus more news from Vicarage Road don't miss this week's edition of the Watford Observer.