Watford skipper John Eustace has insisted the club have the perfect blend of experience and youth to manage without Michael Kightly, after the winger returned to Wolverhampton Wanderers.

“The young lads aren’t young any more; they are a couple of years older and are coming into their prime. They are putting in the performances of senior players and they are now doing well,” Eustace said.

Eustace also put pressure on the club's younger players to continue working hard to earn a place in the first team and make an impact.

“It’s also up to the young lads to work hard and break into the team,” Eustace added.

Following Kightly’s departure, the Hornets stumbled to a 2-1 defeat at Reading, in which they lacked any real creativity, but Eustace ensured that despite the result, the club still have the quality to succeed.

Despite the club's upturn in form over the past 14 games, Eustace did suggest any new additions would be welcome though and they could provide a massive boost.

“If the quality comes in again then it will be great for us to take a player of Kights quality and maybe give us the spark we need,” Eustace said.

Recent weeks have seen the former Coventry City man move into a more advanced role, and despite it not being his natural position, he insists that it doesn’t matter where he plays as long as he is on the pitch.

Eustace said: “I just play wherever the manager wants me to play. I’m a team player and if it means I’m on the pitch on Saturdays, I’ll carry on and do a job.”

The skipper's ability to form a partnership with the in-form Jonathan Hogg was questioned earlier this season but he is still confident that the two can gel, adding that it is not for him to judge.

“I hope so but we will wait and see. I put 100 per cent in when I play and it's up to the manager and everyone else to decide if we have a partnership or not,” Eustace said.