Watford manager Gianfranco Zola believes that the foreign players at the club will be able to cope with the demands of playing football in the winter.

The former West Ham United boss added more than a dozen overseas players to his squad during the summer and despite the perception that many foreign imports struggle to make an impact over the Christmas period, Zola says that his side will continue their impressive run of form.

Zola told BBC Three Counties Radio: "Certainly, the conditions are difficult and it takes a bit of time to adapt to this. We have intelligent players and they can handle it.

"I cannot say it is normal because we have players that come from Brazil, players that come from places where the climate is different.

"But the desire to be successful makes everyone stronger and that's what I'm looking for."

Zola has led Watford to sixth place in the Championship table.

Written by
Darren Plant