10:00am Friday 6th July 2012
By Frank Smith
The club’s takeover and subsequent delay over Gianfranco Zola’s appointment as Watford manager also means the immediate future of three players remains in doubt.
The Watford Observer understands the Hornets had agreed a deal with out-of-contract goalkeeper Tom Heaton and we reported last week that he was on the verge of signing for the club.
However, it has been reported Watford have decided against signing the goalkeeper.
Watford were also hoping to secure the services of Stephen McGinn, whose contract ran out on Sunday, but both players’ immediate futures have yet to be confirmed.
Hornets striker Troy Deeney was last week sentenced to ten months in prison for affray and he has also not been informed whether he has a future at the club.
The Watford Observer contacted Watford this week to ask about the futures of all three players but they stated they would not comment on the trio.
Heaton’s contract with Cardiff City also expired on Sunday and the Hornets thought they had beaten a number of other Championship clubs to the 26-year-old’s signature.
He spent five years at Manchester United as a professional but did not make a competitive appearance for the Red Devils, spending most of his time out on loan, with spells at Swindon Town, Belgian side Royal Antwerp, Cardiff, Queens Park Rangers, Rochdale and Wycombe Wanderers.
Cardiff, who signed the goalkeeper in 2010, offered him a new contract but he decided to leave in search of first-team football.
As for McGinn, Watford offered their player a new contract at the beginning of May but the 23-year-old hadn’t agreed a new deal heading into this week.
The Watford Observer understands McGinn is keen to remain at Vicarage Road.
But it is unclear whether the new regime of Scott Duxbury, Gianluca Nani and Zola will want the Scot to stay.
McGinn has not played a competitive match for more than 16 months following a cruciate knee ligament injury.
He returned to ‘full fitness’ towards the end of last season, playing in several Reserve team matches.
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