Head of Academy Chris McGuane praised the "extra little bit of specialness" of Steven Berghuis following the winger’s display for Watford’s Under-21s in their 2-1 defeat to Ipswich Town this afternoon.

It has been a season of frustration for the 24-year-old Netherlands Under-21 international following his move to Vicarage Road.

Signed for £4.5 million from AZ Alkmaar in the summer he has made just one start for Quique Sanchez Flores’ side – in the FA Cup third round win over Newcastle United in January – and hasn’t featured in a Premier League match since October.

His involvement since the turn of the year has been limited to one appearance on the substitutes’ bench against Manchester City at the beginning of January, 63 minutes against the Magpies and 76 minutes against Reading’s Under-21s in a friendly.

However, he was pitched in against an Ipswich side coached by former Liverpool and Wolverhampton Wanderers winger Mark Kennedy at UCL London Colney this afternoon and impressed during his 74 minutes.

“He brings some quality to the group,” said McGuane afterwards. “We all know how good Steven is.

“He’s got that extra little bit of specialness when he plays and you could see that out there today.”

Watford fell behind to a fine strike from Tractor Boys left-back Kyle Hammond before Alex Jakubiak notched his 14th league goal in 13 outings after the restart. Hammond won it from close range with two minutes to spare.

McGuane said: “I’m pleased with the second half and the character the boys showed to come back into it.

“In the second half we probably created enough chances to win two or three games.

"We’re obviously disappointed with the manner [in which they won it] towards the end. They haven’t had to work very hard for both their goals.

“On the balance of it in the second half we probably deserved to win more than one game. On another day we would have done.”