Watford duo Jay DeMerit and Jon Harley are hopeful that Danny Shittu will remain at Vicarage Road.
DeMerit and Harley hopeful on defender
Watford duo Jay DeMerit and Jon Harley are hopeful that Danny Shittu will remain at Vicarage Road.
The defender's future is in doubt after he rejected a new contract offer earlier in the summer.
Shittu looked set to join Rangers but the move fell through as he failed to agree personal terms, and he now seems likely to at least start the Championship campaign with Watford.
Hornets skipper DeMerit has urged his team-mates to support Shittu but admits it would be a big loss if he did leave.
He told
Sky Sports News: "His situation is more personal to him but when he is around the group he is still included, which is obviously most important for us, that he does feel wanted if he stays and hopefully he does.
"He's a fantastic player and we will need him."
DeMerit's sentiments were echoed by Jon Harley, who only joined Watford last month.
"It is going to benefit us if he does stay and all the lads are desperate for him to stay," said the former Burnley man.
"I don't think we know the exact situation but if he stays it is going to be good for us."
Strict Simpson
Manager Aidy Boothroyd has been told he must sell before he can buy and Shittu is valued at more than £1.5million by chairman Graham Simpson.
Simpson explained: "I have always maintained from day one that I will run this club prudently.
"We had a terrible situation in 2002 when I took over and the club was 24 hours away from administration.
"We are nowhere near anything like that, we are absolutely fine, but we have to be strict about how we go forward.
"We can't just say we are going to take this player and that player."
