Slavisa Jokanovic says he is honoured to work with Hornets legend Lloyd Doyley and believes Watford will always be the defender’s home.

The 32-year-old has made 443 appearances for the Golden Boys but first-team opportunities have been limited this season.

Doyley has played just eight games during the current campaign, the last of which came on Boxing Day against Wolverhampton Wanderers. He has also struggled to make Watford’s 18-man match-day squad in recent weeks.

However, Jokanovic says the Jamaican international remains in his first-team plans.

“Lloyd Doyley is a great example of a professional player,” the Hornets boss explained prior to Watford's game against Reading. “He is a Watford legend but I am here to make decisions.

“He is here, he is working and he understands perfectly. I am honoured to work with him and Watford is always his home.

“He is an important guy for us and I am sure he will be ready if I decide I or the team needs his help. I am sure he will be 100 per cent ready.

“I make my decisions as always. There will be players on the pitch, on the bench or in the stand. This is football.”

Hornets assistant coach Dean Austin and club captain Troy Deeney echoed Jokanovic’s comments regarding Doyley’s professionalism.

Austin worked with the full-back during his first spell with Watford under Brendan Rodgers and says Doyley’s attitude to training hasn't changed. 

“If you know Lloyd Doyley then you know he wouldn’t act any differently if he had played 35 games this season," Austin said. 

“He is a model professional and a fantastic guy. Every single day he comes in and gives his all. 

"You would not know if Lloyd was playing every game or hadn’t been playing for a period of time - that is the biggest compliment I can give him. He is just a great guy.” 

And Deeney said in his programme column that it is easy to take Doyley for granted, however, he admitted his teammate was desperate to regain his place in the Golden Boys side.

However, the striker wrote the Watford Academy graduate was putting the greater good of the team ahead of his own desire to play matches.