Heurelho Gomes isn’t fazed by the prospect of another goalkeeper joining Watford next month. In fact the Brazilian welcomes the competition. “If they show they’re better than me they will get a chance to play,” he said.

The 34-year-old has been the Hornets' first choice goalkeeper since joining the club in the summer of 2014. He has gone on to make 64 league appearances for Watford and played a big role in the club winning promotion to the top flight last season.

His status as at the club’s number one will not change but the Hornets are attempting to sign another goalkeeper, primarily as cover with Giedrius Arlauskis the only other fit professional stopper at the club.

Malaga’s first choice goalkeeper Carlos Kameni is understood to be Watford’s primary target.

The 31-year-old has started every one of the Spanish club’s league games this season and is a Cameroon international.

He would not be a player to simply make up the numbers at Vicarage Road, something Gomes is well aware of.

“Nobody has a guaranteed place here at Watford,” Gomes explained. “If someone else comes in they will have to fight for their place.

"I’ve never had a problem with any goalkeeper. If they show they’re better than me they will get a chance to play." 

Gomes was speaking after Watford’s defeat to Manchester City yesterday evening.

The Hornets were beaten 2-1 by the Citizens despite being the better side for the majority of the contest.

“I don’t think we deserved to lose but that is why they are one of the top five teams in Europe,” Gomes said.

“It is the same disappointment we felt after losing to Tottenham. We played against a very good side but dominated the game.

“I am very proud of the boys because we did very well but we can’t be happy. We lost two games that we had chances to win.

“We now have to clear our minds. We have many matches coming up and we have to be on top of our game, as we were today.”

Yesterday’s contest was Watford’s third in the space of a week and Gomes admitted he was feeling the strain.

“I am a goalkeeper and I’m feeling tired,” he said. “So imagine how the guys up front feel.

"We have no easy games, whether it is against the bottom sides of the top teams. I believe we gave everything today.”