Watford head coach Marco Silva has laid down a marker to midfielder Roberto Pereyra, saying the Argentine needs to make sure he is working as hard as colleagues to keep his place in the side.

Pereyra has endured another injury-hit campaign at Vicarage Road after rupturing a dimiscus in his knee almost a year ago, which ruled him out for the second half of last season.

But he was hooked 40 minutes into the 1-0 defeat at Burnley as the Hornets were forced to chance shape following Marvin Zeegelaar's red card, and has not been a guaranteed starter even when fit - a far cry from the expectation when the £12 million signing from Juventus arrived in August 2016. 

Silva said the 10-time internationally capped midfielder was working hard, but challenged him to continue his stance alongside some gut-busting colleagues in the middle of the park.

He said: "It’s Roberto’s obligation to work hard. He knows if he doesn’t work hard, he can’t achieve his top level. That’s clear, he knows that and I know that. To play at a high level you have to work at a high level too, as we have since the first game.

"We pressure the opponent, play with pace and everyone has to be fit. At that moment, I took that decision because we needed to do something to put another left-back on the pitch, it could have been Richarlison or Carrillo.

"It was just my decision that Roberto was the one to come off. What he is doing now is working hard to stay fit, and I’m sure he wasn’t in a good condition to play 90 minutes.

"With 40 minutes gone, I thought we had to make a decision. He’s working hard, because we need him in good condition and that’s what he’s doing."

Silva's high-pressing style has already seen off Stefano Okaka (alongside personal issues) while Pereyra's work rate could leave him in jeopardy of being left out too.

But the 40-year-old head coach balances that with Pereyra's obvious talents, and has regularly talked him up during his time at Watford.

He said: "He’s an important player for us. I want him in a good level of fitness, and to play like I want.

"It’s easy to understand, it’s how I’ve wanted our players to play since the first day. I want him in a condition where he can play 70, 80 minutes in a good condition.

"Playing with Doucoure and Cleverley behind you, if you play in this kind of level and in in this kind of position high up the pitch you have to be at the same level as these players.

"They did amazing in the last game, the work they do is amazing and an example for everyone in our game."