ADRIAN BOOTHROYD has stressed he will be happy to continue working with the five Watford defenders who were made available for transfer this week if they do not find new clubs this summer.

Club skipper Sean Dyche, former captain Neil Cox, Jermaine Darlington, Paul Mayo and Jack Smith have all been told they can move elsewhere, but Bruce Dyer, Andy Ferrell, Jason Norville and Omari Coleman will be leaving Vicarage Road as their contracts will not be renewed. However, Anthony McNamee has been offered a one-year extension to his current deal and Academy scholars Adrian Mariappa, Junior Osborne and Al Bangura have also been offered professional terms.

Commenting on the five who have been made available, Boothroyd said: "I have been honest with them and said they are not going to be first choice next year, but being professionals they will want to play and I respect that. They're not being kicked out of the door, they are being made available if they want to play first-team football."

Asked if he will be happy to keep them if they cannot find new clubs, the manager responded: "Of course, we will need a strong squad next year. If they stay next year then great. They are all honest players, all players who do their best and all professional so really I'm in a win, win situation."

For the full story, don't miss this week's edition of the Watford Observer.