The Hornets are considering extending Adlene Guedioura's loan after the midfielder failed to make Algeria's African Cup of Nations squad, the Watford Observer understands.

The Golden Boys initially signed the 29-year-old on a 36-day loan following Lewis McGugan's departure to Sheffield Wednesday.

He was keen to obtain regular football in a bid to secure a place in Algeria's squad for the tournament which starts next month and if that had happened, would almost certainly have left Vicarage Road on January 1.

However, Guedioura, who missed out on the World Cup in the summer, has not made the 23-man squad and is only listed as a reserve.

Guedioura impressed in his first Watford start on Saturday and we understand the Hornets are now planning to speak to Crystal Palace about extending his stay. He has made four outings in total.

The midfielder first moved to England in January 2010 when he joined Wolverhampton Wanderers, initially on loan before the move was made permanent by Mick McCarthy that summer.

He played 38 times for Wolves during his two years at the then Premier League club and scored three goals, before a move to Nottingham Forest in January 2012.

Guedioura became a fans favourite during his 19 outings on loan and the switch was again made permanent in the summer, under new manager Sean O'Driscoll.

A return to the Premier League followed on the summer transfer deadline day in 2013 when Ian Holloway brought him to Crystal Palace but has only made 15 appearances in all competitions in 15 months.

He has made four substitute outings in the Premier League this season and started twice in the Capital One Cup for Palace. His last competitive run-out for Neil Warnock's men came in October as a 73rd-minute replacement.

There will be an interview with Guedioura uploaded later today.

The full Algeria squad, which includes Watford defender Essaid Belkalem, can be seen below.

Goalkeepers: Rais Mbolhi (Philadelphia Union, USA), Doukha Izzeddine (JS Kabylie) Mohamed Lamine Zemmamouche (USM Alger).

Defenders: Essaid Belkalem (Trabzonspor, Turkey), Madjid Bougherra (Fujaira, UAE), Faouzi Ghoualm (Napoli, Italy), Rafik Halliche (SC Qatar, Qatar), Aissa Mandi (Stade Reims, France), Carl Medjani (Trabzonspor, Turkey), Djamel Mesbah (Sampdoria, Italy), Mehdi Zeffane (Lyon, France).

Midfielders: Nabil Bentaleb (Tottenham, England), Yacine Brahimi (Porto, Portugal), Medhi Lacen (Getafe, Spain), Saphir Taider (Sassuolo, Italy), Mehdi Abeid (Newcastle United, England), Foued Kadir (Real Betis, Spain).

Forwards: Abdelmoumene Djabou (Club Africain, Tunisia), Sofiane Feghouli (Valencia, Spain), Riyad Mahrez (Leicester City, England), Islam Slimani (Sporting Lisbon, Portugal), Hilal Soudani (Dinamo Zagreb, Croatia), Ishak Belfodil (Parma, Italy).

Reserves: Liassine Cadamuro (Osasuna, Spain), Adlene Guedioura Adlane (Watford, England), Mehdi Mostefa (Lorient, France), Walid Mesloub (Lorient, France), Ryad Boudebouz (SC Bastia, France), Ahmed Kashi (Metz, France), Baghdad Bounedjah (Etoile du Sahel, Tunisia).