Gianfranco Zola hoping Troy Deeney will stay

Gianfranco Zola has admitted that he is expecting Troy Deeney to remain at Watford this season.

The striker has scored four goals in the Hornets' opening two games of the season, reportedly leading to interest from Tottenham Hotspur, Fulham and West Ham United.

However, the club's manager told the Watford Observer: "I'm relying on the fact that here he has a good environment and also that we can help him to improve. So I'm really expecting and hoping he'll stay with us.

"There have been no bids as far as I know. I understand there will be speculation because he is a player who is doing well and there probably is interest in him.

"As manager, I would of course like him to stay but should there be a bid, I'm sure there will be other things to consider. At the moment, it is difficult to comment. He is an important player in the team and I would like to keep him with us but we need to wait and see what happens."

Deeney was the club's top scorer in the Championship last season with 19 goals.