Troy Deeney claims there is “no way” he is a winger and admits he is looking to break up the partnership of Marvin Sordell and Chris Iwelumo.

Deeney is refreshingly honest when speaking to the media and is a likeable character.

The 23-year-old was the Hornets’ main summer signing last season, joining from Walsall in a deal which could rise to £650,000 if all the incentives are reached, but despite being brought in as a striker, he has spent much of his time on the right of midfield.

But when asked whether he now considers himself a midfielder, Deeney replied: “Look at me, I am 6ft 1in and nearly 15 stone so there is no way I am a winger. I train all week as a striker unless I am told that I am playing on the wing at the weekend.

“I am scoring in training so I am not too fussed about anything else. If I am in and around it then I will get chances and score.”

Deeney, who has scored four goals since he arrived last summer, has been making an impact from the bench in recent weeks and is hoping he will be picked more for the Hornets, having made just 24 starts during his 55-game Watford career.

He said: “You have to earn your starts and I feel I am trying to do that and to be honest I feel I am giving the gaffer a bit of a problem which I am here to do.

“I am doing alright when I come on and if I am not starting then that is what I am paid to do – come on and make an impact. Hopefully now I can merit a start.”

Watford tried a few different strike partnerships this season when the side were struggling for goals yet Deeney has not had a run in the side, in his favoured position, for some time.

Sean Dyche seems to have found a combination that works in Chris Iwelumo and Marvin Sordell but Deeney makes no secret of the fact he wants to take one of his team-mates’ spots.

“To be honest, I have to go in and break that,” Deeney admitted. “I wouldn’t say I wish for an injury, but if someone gets injured or someone comes off the boil then I need to be able to step in and do that job.

“We have Joe Garner as well so we are both pushing for places and that is only good for Watford Football Club.

“There are also young lads who aren’t playing like Matty Whichelow who are still pressing for a place so you know you need to bring your ‘A’ game, even though the results have not been as good as we had hoped.”

Deeney, who was a trainee bricklayer before being signed by Walsall at 18, had gone 35 games without scoring prior to his winner against Brighton this week and the striker joked it felt like 936.

Before Tuesday, his last goal came against Reading on November last year, two days after his grandad John Deeney had died despite being told he had won his battle with cancer three days before his death.

Deeney, who has a tattoo of his grandad’s name on his chest, dedicated Tuesday’s goal, which came 30 seconds after his introduction as a substitute, to his grandad.

“It is weird actually, it is a year ago this week that my grandad died which is why I had that celebration,” Deeney said.

“It was most definitely a dedicated goal and it is funny how that happens.

“So hopefully there will be another one on Saturday.”

Watford manager Sean Dyche was delighted Deeney grabbed his side’s winner and praised the player’s professionalism.

When asked if he sees Deeney as an impact sub, Dyche replied: “No not necessarily as he started recently. It is just he is one of those players who fills slots which is really good for us but not so good for the player because sometimes you fit three or four slots but not as well as the one who gets the slot. So it is a hard one for him.

“But he is professional, he works very hard and he is good around the group and we all respect him for that.”