Quique Sanchez Flores says Watford now have three central defenders fighting for two positions after Miguel Britos’ impressive display in the Hornets’ 2-0 win at Stoke City.

The Uruguayan international was a shock inclusion in the Golden Boys’ starting XI at the Britannia Stadium, with the reliable Sebastian Prödl dropped to the substitutes’ bench.

It was a decision that surprised the Hornets supporters who were anxious with Britos’ selection. Given he hadn’t featured since being sent off against Preston North End in August, you can understand why.

But the 30-year-old performed well against the Potters and Flores will now have to make a difficult decision over who will partner the faultless Craig Cathcart against West Ham United next week.

When asked why Prödl wasn’t named in the staring XI, Flores said: “Prödl has played really well in the other games but we need to create competition between the central defenders.

“We have been waiting for Britos for a long time. He has a high performance to add to the team and now we have another central defender we can play.

“The way we can improve is to create competition in their positions. Now we have three centre-backs; Prödl, Cathcart and Britos.

“I see Britos every day and I know what he can do. I know he can put in a high performance like he did today.”