Quique Sanchez Flores says Victor Ibarbo has realised he needed to change if he was to force his way into the Watford team.

The Colombian international arrived at Vicarage Road in the summer on loan from Cagliari but has played a total of 42 minutes of Premier League action so far.

The 25-year-old requested to play for Watford’s Under-21s on Monday and scored twice in the Hornets’ 3-1 win over Colchester United.

And Flores says the forward’s attitude in training has been markedly different over the past few days.

The Hornets head coach said: “Ibarbo has trained really, really well this week. I think he has understood that he needed to change something to convince me (that he should be in the team).

“He is training in a different way. I don’t know exactly what changed but his intensity in training is different.”

While Ibarbo appears to have turned a corner in the mind of Flores there are several players who are still struggling to convince the Spaniard they should be included in the match-day squad come the weekend.

Steven Berghuis has been given just 70 minutes in the Premier League this season following his move from Dutch side AZ Alkmaar.

Flores insisted the winger is still adapting to English football but added: “He knows the things he has to improve. He is working hard in the training and is working hard in the gym. He's improving.”

And it is the same message when it comes to young striker Obbi Oulare. The Belgium Under-21 international hasn’t played at all for Watford’s first team following his switch from Club Brugge.

“A couple of times he has been really close (to making the squad),” Flores explained.

“Sometimes we’ve had to talk with some players because when they are out of the list it is for a reason. Other times it is simply because of numbers.

“He is out of the list but he is only 19. Sometimes he stays at home and if he doesn’t travel then the next time he’ll be with us.”