Watford manager Gianfranco Zola says he will not get in the way of defender Adrian Mariappa's potential departure to the Premier League.
The former Chelsea striker and West Ham United boss has been installed by the Hornets' new owner, Giampaolo Pozzo, as replacement for Sean Dyche on a two-year deal and has made it clear that Reading target Mariappa will be able to depart if an offer comes in to the Vicarage Road offices.
"Adrian I know is a very good player and was one of the best last year," Zola told The Daily Telegraph.
"Obviously we want to keep him but we understand it is not only our decision, also it's Adrian's.
"I understand he maybe has the possibility to go to the Premier League and I won't step in front of him and stop him if he wants to go."
