Hornets striker Matej Vydra has, as expected, not been included in the Czech Republic squad for the Under-21 European Championships later this month.

The deadline for competing nations to name their 23-man squads was Sunday and the Czech Football Association have confirmed Vydra has not been included.

Vydra, who will remain with Watford after agreeing a new two-year loan deal at Vicarage Road, had been called into head coach Jakub Dovalil's preliminary squad for the tournament.

However, Vydra told the Czech website iSPORT Hornets owner Gino Pozzo had blocked his opportunity to participate in the competition, which is set to get underway in the Czech Republic on June 17.

Vydra told iSPORT: “The owner told me we start the pre-season on June 22 and that he wants me fully rested.

"Our goal before the last season was to get promoted, now the goal is to stay up because he knows that the first year in a new competition is terribly difficult. He gives everything for that, it is his top priority. He wants all the players rested.

“He counts on me and I don’t want to go against the club, against his decision no matter what. That would hurt me. The club is the one who pays me and it would be a shame to spoil my position after a successful season.”

The 23-year-old already has 15 full caps to his name but players born on or after January 1, 1992 are eligible for the tournament. Vydra was born on May 1.

Owing to a shortage of striking options the Czechs had been desperate for Vydra's inclusion, particularly as Eintracht Frankfurt striker Vaclav Kadlec will miss their opener against Denmark due to suspension.