Mark Yeates admits Adrian Mariappa’s team-mates are torn when it comes to the prospect of their vice captain leaving Watford.

Mariappa was the subject of a bid from Premier League side Newcastle United at the beginning of this week.

And when speaking to the Watford Observer on Tuesday, Yeates, who joined in the summer from Sheffield United, admitted: “It is a tough one because Mapps has been a really good pal since I have been here and I get on really well with him. For a Premiership club to come in for a team-mate and a pal is brilliant news for him and I think it just shows how consistent he has been this season.

“So in that case, it is a hard one but obviously as a team-mate - and Maps is our vice-captain - we don’t want to see him go because we want to obviously improve in the league and with Mapps going that will definitely hinders us. But you also want to see everyone playing at the highest level and really kicking on.

“So for him it is a really positive thing and it shows that he is good enough that top clubs are interested in him. “ Yeates had a six-month spell playing in the North-East himself after signing for Middlesbrough in the summer of 2009, only for the Teesiders to change managers shortly after his arrival and was subsequently sold to Sheffield United.

The Irishman praised the area’s passion for football but also stressed that if Mariappa waits then they may be better offers on the table in the summer.

He said: “I played at Middlesbrough and I know what it is like up in that neck of the woods, they are maniacs for football up there.

“But I said to Mapps, if he just keeps doing what he is doing, maybe more clubs will come in and have a look at him. He is a level-headed lad and he is an experienced boy now so he knows that.”

The 25-year-old, who started his career at this weekend’s opponents Tottenham Hotspur, also believes Watford’s players are not the only ones who have mixed feelings regarding a potential move for Mariappa.

He said: “I am sure the gaffer will want to keep Mapps. But he is an honest manager and has been around him since he was a young lad so I am sure he is also proud that a club such as Newcastle have come in and want one of his players.

“He wants to keep his best players, especially his centre-half, so for us we do not want to see him go but it is fair play to the lad for such a big club coming in and showing interest in him.”