Juan Carlos Paredes is still keeping distant hopes of a future at Watford alive – but admits it will only happen if Walter Mazzarri abandons his favoured back-three system.

The Ecuadorian international is a likely departure from Vicarage Road in January and has been attracting interest from both England and Italy, but would be happy to remain at the club in the unlikely scenario that he can force his way into their 25-man squad in January.

The Watford Observer previously reported Parades was considering offers from across Europe from an agent purporting to represent the player; this was not the case, and we are happy to clarify the situation.

However, his agent Roberto De Fanti, former director of football at Sunderland, told us Paredes had been left understanably "frustrated" by his omission from the Hornets’ squad, which has left him with only 120 minutes of domestic football all season, in the EFL Cup back in August.

De Fanti said: "Mr Mazzarri plays with three centre backs, so his position was becoming redundant at the start of the season.

“Last year he played 17 games, but with the system some choices had to be made for the 25-man squad.

“We are talking about a full international with Ecuador, and not being in the squad has been quite frustrating for him.

“If he changes this style and Paredes makes the squad then good, but if he is still not in his plans in January, he will leave.

"We have spoken to a lot of clubs who are interested in Italy and England, but I cannot give individual names.”