Watford have re-signed Heidar Helguson on loan for the rest of the season – and we understand the popular striker’s third spell at Vicarage Road may extend beyond that.

The Icelandic international returned to Queens Park Rangers after his initial loan spell with the Hornets expired at the end of last year – enabling him to make a brief substitute appearance during his parent club’s 1-1 FA Cup third round draw at Sheffield United – but following protracted negotiations with the Loftus Road outfit manager Malky Mackay has been successful in securing one of his primary transfer targets for this month.

And although Watford are remaining tight-lipped, the Watford Observer understands there is an option to make the loan move permanent at the end of the season.

The Hornets boss told the Watford Observer last week: “I would love to keep Heidar and have him back here. I will be trying everything we can to get him back here.

“He has been a great professional and servant to this football club for the second time and I will be trying everything I can do to get him back.”

The 32-year-old has scored five goals in eight starts, plus two appearances from the bench, so far this season and needs to find the back of the net just once more to become only the 13th player in Watford’s history to score 70 or more goals for the club.

Helguson becomes the third player to effectively extend his loan spell at Vicarage Road this term after Mackay was also successful in keeping midfielders Tom Cleverley and Henri Lansbury.