Watford transfer news: Javi Gracia rules out any January signings and insists he is happy with the current squad

Some fringe players may leave the club, but Gracia will stick with the squad he has for rest of the season

Watford manager Javi Gracia will be ambitious with the players he has at his disposal after ruling out a move into the transfer market.

Fringe striker Stefano Okaka completed his temporary switch to Udinese earlier this week, while defender Marvin Zeegelaar is also poised to join the Serie A club.

There is also speculation surrounding the future of the in-form Abdoulaye Doucoure, but Gracia does not envisage any players arriving at Vicarage Road this month.

“In this moment, maybe different things happen, but I am happy with the squad I have,” said Gracia.

“With the players we have we can complete a very good season and if in one week something changes, we will see.

“But at the moment I prefer to value the players I have because they deserve that. We have to be demanding with the players and we have to be ambitious with them, too.”

Okaka joined Watford from Anderlecht in the summer of 2016, but has fallen out of favour under Gracia, featuring in just three matches this season, all of them as substitutes, prior to his loan switch.

“In my opinion, Stefano is a great player and a great person,” Gracia added.

Javi Gracia is not expecting any new players (Getty)

“He was very important for the squad, not just for the minutes he played, but other things.

“However, the club, the player, and me, thought it was better to take this step and go on loan for the rest of the season.

“In his position there are many strikers and many options, so it was better for all of us to take this decision.”

Watford head to Selhurst Park to face Crystal Palace on Saturday, eighth in the Premier League table after losing just once during the festive period.

Christian Kabasele and Andre Gray returned to training from their respective injury lay-offs on Thursday, but the game against Palace may have arrived too soon for the duo to feature.

PA