The Hornets are trying to sign Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Tom Carroll on loan, the Watford Observer understands.

Carroll grew up in Leavesden, attended Parmiter’s School in Garston and honed his skills playing football at Hill Farm Close park.

We understand Watford have planned to sign a young midfielder from a Premier League club all summer and have decided to target the Spurs youngster.

Carroll has made 21 appearances for Tottenham since his Spurs debut in the Europa League two years ago, 11 of which were from the substitutes bench.

The 21-year-old’s professional debut came on loan at Leyton Orient where he made 14 appearances during the second half of the 2010/11 campaign.

The following season, he made six starts for Spurs in the Europa League and League Cup and had a substitute outing in the FA Cup before he featured 12 times on loan at Derby County.

He spent the whole of last season at White Hart Lane and made 14 appearances in all competitions, although all seven of his Premier League outings were from the bench.

Carroll joined Spurs’ Academy in 2008 and was given his first professional contract two years later.

He captained Parmiter’s football team to district and county titles and he also represented Hertfordshire.

Tottenham describe him as “a player who always looks for possession and rarely gives the ball away”.

Carroll has made two appearances for England Under-21s and scored after coming off the bench in the 6-0 win over Scotland on Tuesday.