Slavisa Jokanovic says new signing Vujadin Savic is not ready to go straight into the Watford side and has reasserted his belief that the Hornets must sign an experienced centre-back.

The Golden Boys officially completed the 24-year-old’s move on Friday and he was on the substitutes' bench during Watford’s win against Blackpool 24 hours later.

However, with Gabriel Tamas cancelling his contract by mutual consent and Sebastien Bassong’s loan spell from Norwich City ending earlier this month, the Hornets have only five experienced central defenders on their books.

Gabriele Angella, Tommie Hoban and Craig Cathcart started Saturday’s 7-2 whilst Savic watched on from the sidelines. Joel Ekstrand is currently out with a long-term back problem. 

Whilst Jokanovic is pleased to have added Savic to his squad, he explained why the Hornets need to bring in another defender.

“Savic has arrived but he is at the back,” Jokanovic said on Thursday. “We are going to give him some time and wait for him to surprise us.

“He is a quality guy who can help us but he isn’t an immediate solution for us. I need a centre-back who can help us immediately.

“I need a guarantee at this moment. If somebody interprets Savic in this way then this is wrong.

“He is not the solution to our current problem. He can be the solution in the future because we need players but at the moment the message it clear, I need a player similar to Bassong. I need a new Bassong.”