Watford captain Troy Deeney is impressed by their Irish teenage striker Ryan Cassidy.

The 17-year-old was rewarded with his first professional contract last month and is already scoring goals for the U23s.

"I really like him, and like him as a player. If he can grow mentally and physically, he can be the next person to come through the academy," Deeney told the Watford Observer.

“He is a great kid. His attitude is good, but now he's getting attention, people are talking about him and his money has gone up. That is when people start changing.

“I've done that first hand and I've been there, there are a lot of distractions. Hopefully we'll steer him away from that, but also let him learn.

“It's the same with players like Richarlison. People are saying he's gone, but he's a young boy and there is only so much you can tell him.

“Let them go through bad periods, because eventually you grow and become a much better person for it."