Will Buckley turned a lot of heads on the wing at League Two-leaders Rochdale but the highly-rated 20-year-old has arrived at Watford will the news he plans to prove his worth as a striker in the Championship.

Buckley signed for the Hornets on Tuesday on a three-and-a-half-year contract for an undisclosed fee.

At Rochdale, Buckley was mainly used on the flanks or playing off the striker in the 69 appearances he made since his debut in 2008, but he believes his best position is up front.

"I would say I'm a striker," Buckley said.

"I think that's my best position. But I've been playing as a left winger and I like to get out there on the ball, run at players and deliver crosses. That's my job when I'm on the wing.

"I'm right-footed but I can go down either way, cut inside or go down the left. So I think that's why he [Rochdale boss Keith Hill] preferred me to play on the left.

"Striker is where I started my career and when I get a bit stronger and physically improve then I think I can play as a striker."

So growing up, who did he model himself on and want to emulate?

"I used to like watching Michael Owen as a kid," he said.

"I like to try and make runs similar to him getting behind the defence. That's my game when I'm up front, but on the wing Cristiano Ronaldo is a bit of a legend so I've been watching him in recent years."

A number of clubs were looking at Buckley and as he only had six months left on his contract at Rochdale, as was the case with Don Cowie, Mike Williamson and more recently Stephen McGinn, Watford made their move now rather than wait until the summer.

Malky Mackay is keen to bring in much-needed experience but it is the Scot's willingness to give youth a chance which helped Buckley decide to make the move to Hertfordshire.

He said: "I knew they'd been in the Premiership and that the manager likes to get young players in and give them a chance so that's what really attracted me to the club.

"Having seen all the facilities and how much the standard has improved playing around better players, it's definitely good to be here.

"Training is a lot faster but I'm adapting and it's really good."

Buckley is not expected to be involved against Swansea City or Sheffield United and Mackay has said the former Oldham Athletic youngster will be given time to settle in.

Buckley said: "Until the end of this season, I'm just going to try and improve and get into the side. Next season I'll be trying to establish myself as a first-team starter."

He has not played since November 24 due to an ankle injury and missed Rochdale’s 4-1 win against Cheltenham Town with a slight thigh strain.

Buckley explained: "I injured my ankle about eight weeks ago. I came back after about four and it still wasn't right so I had another four weeks out.

"With the thigh strain, I think I came back a bit too early and pushed myself a bit too hard in training and got a little muscle strain.

"I'm not expecting any long term problems, it is all fine now."

And the youngster is itching to get back playing.

He said: "I've been watching Rochdale for the last six or seven weeks and I'm just dying to get back out there."