Sanchez Flores: Watford cannot hang around for Deeney as goals are needed now

Under-pressure Watford head coach Quique Sanchez Flores admits there is no point wondering when talisman Troy Deeney will return from injury as he has to find a goalscoring solution immediately.

The club captain has not featured for the Premier League’s bottom side since August 17 because of a knee problem and is not likely to return until after next month’s international break.

“I love Deeney, you all know that, and we know how he can help the team, but right now he is not the solution,” he told a press conference.

“He has a lot of character and represents well the values of the club: be organised, be brave, be compact and solid. This is the character we want.”

“We need to talk about the solutions as these players are not ready right now,” said Sanchez Flores.

“We need to be focused on the solutions (in attack), with (Gerard) Deulofeu, with Andre Gray, with Roberto Pereyra.”

“I saw him play and he is strong, really quick and he scores goals,” said the Spaniard, whose only victory in eight matches since taking over came in the Carabao Cup against Championship side Swansea.

“January is so far away right now – the focus is on what happens in the next two days. We love the player but he is not the solution right now.”

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