Troy Deeney told to forget move talk

Walsall boss Chris Hutchings has told striker Troy Deeney to forget about transfer talk and focus on the Saddlers.

The manager has been impressed with the player's attitude after the club rejected three bids from Watford this month.

Deeney drew a blank in last night's 2-1 defeat to Villa at the Banks's Stadium, but earned plaudits for his all-action display.

Now Hutchings has moved to dampen on-going speculation by warning the 22-year-old must remain committed.

He said: "Troy is at this football club, we pay his wages and if he doesn't want to perform he'll train with the kids. But he's not like that and will continue to give his all.

"Troy is paid by us and that's the be all and end all. He's here, he's got to perform and as long as he does it bodes well for Walsall.

"If it's somewhere else it will be somewhere else but he's got to perform otherwise he won't start.

"I've kept him fully informed, he knows the situation and he's still at this club."

The Saddlers are waiting to see if Watford make a fourth offer, after their third was dismissed last week.

The Championship club, who beat Stevenage 2-0 last night, have remained tight-lipped over the bids.

But Deeney has been a long-term target for Hornets boss Malky Mackay, who is building a young team at Vicarage Road.