Watford captain Troy Deeney hopes to win the FA Cup as a tribute to Elton John.

Although the former chairman will miss their FA Cup Final with ­Manchester City on Saturday, honouring a date in Denmark on his farewell world tour, Deeney will lead them out with Elton's sons, Zachary and Elijah, as mascots.

“It's a shame if he isn't going to be there – because he bought me," said Deeney, 30. “I like to think the club have done well out of the deal, but I wonder if he kept the receipt!

“Knowing him, to the limited extent I do, I reckon he'll have an iPad perched on top of his piano and he'll be streaming the final, if we're still playing and it's time for him to go on stage.

“I'd love it if I could complete 10 seasons at Watford next year and invite him to play at my ­testimonial as part of his ­farewell world tour. That would be ­something else. I'll help wheel his grand piano into the centre circle at half-time, if he wants to do a couple of numbers!

“It's natural that everyone harks back to the last time ­Watford were in the cup final – Elton crying in the Royal Box, Mr Taylor in charge – but I also ­believe there comes a time where you have to create your own legends.

“If we win the cup, do we ­surpass everything those guys achieved? You always have to show respect to the ­people who came before you, and there's no getting away from it – this club is built on their foundations.

“But if we can reach that next level, in some ways we can loosen those ties with the past. We're here because Javi Gracia is a great coach and Mr Pozzo is a great owner. We're on the cusp of ­potentially doing something great and, somewhere along the line, we've got to detach our minds from the past."