WATFORD's plans for the future received a further boost earlier this week when defender Lloyd Doyley signed a two-year extension to his current deal.

The 22-year-old right-back, who can also play centre-half, has now tied himself to the Hornets until the summer of 2007 and boss Ray Lewington was "very pleased" to get the deal done.

"He's an excellent lad who works hard, is dedicated and doesn't complain," said the manager. "I think he has made progress, particularly on the ball, and has proved he can play centre-back where he probably looks a little more comfortable. His lack of inches can sometimes be a problem at set-pieces but he could make a good claim at being a centre-back."

Following the Doyley deal, fellow Academy product Dominic Blizzard also signed a two-year contract extension yesterday (Thursday, February 24).

The young midfielder has made ten appearances this season and Lewington said: "I've been delighted with Dom this year. We gave him a one-year deal last summer and he's proved that he's worth more. He's grown up a lot and on Tuesday night against Ipswich he was excellent.

"He's not the finished article by any stretch we think he can get better and better. He's suddenly got a lot taller and maybe his body is still adjusting to that but we've seen plenty of him in training to know that there is a lot more to come in games."