It increasingly appears to be a case of when, and not if, Will Hughes’ move to Watford is formally confirmed after Kevin Phillips admitted the Derby County midfielder “has moved on”.

The former Hornets striker is part of Gary Rowett’s coaching staff at Pride Park and he has backed the midfielder, who is now preparing for England Under-21’s European Championship semi-final, to do well in the Premier League.

In comments from the Icons golf tournament at The Belfry reported by The Mirror, Phillips said: “I am sure Will will be suited for the Premier League. But he has moved on and we will move on.

“The manager is not afraid to make decisions which is right.

“I think what you have to do is find players in the Championship who are quite robust and can go Saturday to Tuesday and again.

“Statistically if you look at teams who win the Championship they don’t make many changes.

“So that is what Gary is trying to do to get a team to play week in week out, it is very difficult because everyone is looking for those players.

“But we have already made two additions with Andre Wisdom and Curtis Davies and I am sure there will be another couple of additions.”

Hughes is set to move to Vicarage Road for a fee understood to be in the region of £4.5 million, rising to £7m or £8m with add-ons.