Mariappa: Newcastle target

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Dyche expects Mariappa to stay

Watford boss Sean Dyche expects Adrian Mariappa to stay, but says he would look to bring in a direct replacement if the defender was sold.

Mariappa was the subject of a failed transfer bid by Newcastle United earlier this week, with Dyche revealing that the clubs were far apart in their valuation of the player.

Until such a time when the Hornets receive an acceptable offer for Mariappa, the defender will remain in Dyche’s plans.

“Yes I am absolutely expecting him to be here at the end of the window,” Dyche told the Watford Observer.

“We always plan for players to be here unless it becomes obviously imminent that a deal is done. But we will have to see what the end of January brings.”

He added: “I think it is fair to say the reason why players like Aidy are talked about is because they are in the top end of the Championship market. They are recognised as players that can go beyond the Championship and Watford.

“They are our top players so we need to at least challenge for players who we feel are suitable to replace them.

“Yet again, that is where it is difficult because of the numbers but it is part of our club and it exists for the strength of the financial plan going forward. Without that it would be difficult for Watford to keep moving forward.

“They are the harsh realities and it can be harsh for me, I can assure you, with the Championship market because you know the numbers that are out there.

“But we have a very hard working squad, we need more cutting edge and that is where the market is hard because the real cutting edge players are demanding more.

“That is why our cutting edge players are talked about for such big figures.”