Bringing up 250 starts for a singular football team inevitably creates a strong bond between player and club.

It is one Adrian Mariappa is fully aware of having reached the landmark with a man of the match display against West Browich Albion on Saturday.

The 31-year-old’s haul of outings for the club has of course come across two spells and he has spent time at both Reading and Crystal Palace during his career.

Watford is, however, the place where he made his first strides in the game as a nine-year-old and undoubtedly the club which has made the biggest impression on the centre-back.

It is little surprise then that Mariappa says he will remain inextricably tied to the Vicarage Road club.

“I will always be a part of the club in some way, shape or form and we will see what the future holds,” he said.

“It is still early days in my career. I am concentrating on my football and you never know where your career will take you.”

Mariappa’s 250th start came amidst a season in which he has re-established himself at the heart of the Watford defence after being regularly overlooked last term.

He will be hopeful of keeping his place in the first XI for the visit to Arsenal on Sunday despite the return to fitness of fellow centre-back option Miguel Britos.

Indeed, with Watford playing one game a week for the remainder of the campaign, Mariappa says rotation is far from a necessity between now and May.

“If there is one game a week we don’t need to rest players. Obviously it is very individual and that is for the management and staff to look at,” he said.

“I played my younger days in the Championship and you play a lot more games. One game a week means everyone should be fit and raring to go.”