Watford chairman Jimmy Russo insists that he will not be forced to sell players to help the club out of its financial predicament. Russo recently confirmed the club will have to have to fill a £6.5million shortfall by June of next year.

Russo is adamant that another string of sales in January is not inevitable, stating that he will not take key players away from manager Malky Mackay.

"I am not forced to sell anyone, I am not in a forced position," Russo told the Watford Observer.

"If an offer comes in and it is good for the club and we have an adequate replacement lined up, then I will go to Malky and say this is what we have got.

"But I cannot just take his best players away and give him nothing. Somebody would have to come in.

"The priority is always the survival of the club so maybe players will be sold," he added.

"Anything can happen. If the deal is what is best for the club and will help its survival then we have to do what is best for the club."

The chairman also said that money could be available to bring in new players if on-loan squad members Tom Cleverley, Heidar Helguson, Henri Lansbury and Craig Cathcart do not remain with the club.

"There is a small amount there because we have to keep the team moving on and progressing. But we do not know the situation of our loan players yet," Russo added.

"We have loan fees we have to pay and depending on if we do or do not pay the loan fees then we could go into the market and buy more of our own stock.

"But we are not looking to buy players if they are not of the calibre that we want.