Watford head coach Beppe Sannino refused to confirm whether the Hornets will try to re-sign George Thorne and Hector Bellerin on loan.

The duo returned to West Bromwich Albion and Arsenal respectively following the expiration of their loan deals at Vicarage Road.

Chelsea’s Josh McEachran has also gone back to his parent club and it is very unlikely the 20-year-old will return to Watford as he failed to make a single appearance throughout December and didn’t feature after Sannino took charge.

Thorne and Bellerin were regularly used by the Italian and when asked if the Golden Boys wanted them to return, Sannino said: “The Bristol City game is the main focus now and then after that I can be more precise.”

Thorne, who featured in seven consecutive games for West Brom’s first team between late 2012 and January 2013, played in all eight of Watford's games during his six-week spell at the club and helped fill the holding midfield role left by Jonathan Hogg's departure to Huddersfield Town in the summer.

England Under-21 international McEachran was initially signed to play that role but he failed to cement a place in the team and has not featured since the 1-0 defeat to Bolton Wanderers on November 23 – the day Thorne made his debut.

In total, McEachran made six starts and two substitute appearances in all competitions during his time at Vicarage Road.

Wideman Bellerin, who has made just one substitute appearance for the Gunners’ first team, joined the Hornets at the end of November when the club had several players out due to injuries.

He made five starts and one substitute appearance for Watford during his spell, which lasted just over a month.