Watford manager Sean Dyche insists speculation surrounding Adrian Mariappa’s future is not affecting his plans for tomorrow night’s FA Cup clash with Tottenham Hotspur.

Newcastle made a bid for Mariappa on Monday but it was immediately rejected by the Hornets, with Dyche stating the offer was “miles away” from the club’s valuation.

"I couldn't tell you how far away it is. My son has that much in his money box maybe and I am not very rich," Dyche joked.

There has been speculation surrounding both Mariappa and striker Marvin Sordell in recent months but Dyche confirmed there has been no offers for the England Under-21 striker.

When asked whether he was planning on both players being available against Spurs, Dyche replied: "Absolutely, there is nothing imminent. It is usual speculation. There is more to it than that but we are not thinking they are going to be sold.

"The interest is nowhere near."

Newcastle offered a price which they knew was some way from Watford’s valuation of the player as a starting point in negotiations.

But Dyche was adamant the Hornets are in a much stronger negotiating position now compared to recent years.

He said: "Unfortunately clubs often offer sums that are nowhere near valuation of players and that is the awkward side of the game now. They do it with their own reasons in mind and not the selling club.

"We know that is going to happen and certain teams will try to affect our players but we are not in a position where we have to rush out and sell.

"When Tommy Smith and Mike Williamson were sold a few years ago they were more sales that we had to do. Now we don't have to sell so that is something which is good for us but it is obvious that the price will hit a certain level where we will find it hard not to sell and that is when it changes."

Tomorrow night’s fourth round tie with Tottenham is being shown live on ESPN.

Dyche was asked whether he would be in a ‘catch 22 situation’ should the likes of Mariappa and Sordell impress against Spurs, with the duo likely to attract even more interest if they do perform well.

Dyche replied: "That is the reality of our club. What makes my job harder than most is that we seem to be in a constant transition; we had a big one in the summer with 54 per cent of our goals leaving and then we had to try to adjust that and remodel it on small finances.

"If that should happen again then it is an ongoing progress but we are a different animal than we were then. We are stronger than we were then and on a better footing but Ronaldo left Manchester United for £65m in the end and that was enough.

"We are certainly not a team full of Ronaldos and our top players will always attract attention but we are on a better footing now so we can stave off some of that attention and keep some of our better players, unless Ronaldo-like prices comes in – obviously not £65m but I would take £64m," he said smiling.