Signing Matthew Connolly, who has clinched promotion from the Championship on three occasions, was undoubtedly a shrewd move by Watford. And it looked an even smarter piece of business following Saturday’s defeat against Ipswich Town. 

Connolly officially joined the Hornets until the end of the campaign on Thursday afternoon but the defender only linked up with his new teammates on Friday.

The 27-year-old’s lack of time to prepare for Saturday’s game against Ipswich Town was why, according to Jokanovic, he wasn’t included in the Golden Boys squad.

During the 1-0 defeat to the Tractor Boys, centre-back Joel Ekstrand suffered a knee injury which the Hornets head coach admitted “might be serious”.

And that meant Jokanovic was cautious when discussing what Connolly would bring to the Golden Boys side.

“I don’t know the situation now because of Joel’s injury,” the Serbian admitted. “He (Connolly) should be a good signing for us because the situation is very different to how it was this (Saturday) morning.”

Jokanovic was asked on Saturday if Watford would re-enter the loan market and attempt to sign another centre-back following Ekstrand’s injury, he replied: “I haven’t thought about this situation. I can’t answer this question.”