Watford have confirmed the Vicarage Road pitch will be relaid this summer regardless of whether rugby club Saracens remain at the stadium.

Sarries have said they are in talks with the Hornets about remaining at the ground for the start of next season while they wait for Barnet Copthall Stadium to be redeveloped.

The Premiership champions expect to move to the 10,000-seater Mill Hill venue midway through the next campaign but this will not happen before November and there is a chance Saracens could be at Vicarage Road for the whole of the 2012/13 season.

But the Hornets have confirmed to the Watford Observer that the pitch will definitely be relaid this summer and if Sarries do stay, it will not affect plans.

Watford confirmed a “substantial down payment” has been made for the pitch and work is expected to start on May 14, due to the possibility of Saracens having a home semi-final.

However, the surface will not be levelled as the club consider it would be too expensive.

There is currently a one metre slope from one corner of the Rous Stand to the other and there will still be a difference when the pitch is relaid, although it will be marginally less than it was before.

Glyn Evans, Watford's operations director, said: “The ground will not be levelled because it would involve significant structural alterations regarding the sighting for supporters in the Rookery and Vicarage Road stands.”

Owner Laurence Bassini has been on holiday for the last couple of weeks so the Hornets’ stance on Saracens remaining at Vicarage Road is unclear, as is the cost of the work.

The Watford area is currently the subject of a residential hosepipe ban but the Hornets do not expect their pitch plans to be affected, although that may change.

Evans said: “Currently there is no effect, however, further drought measures may have an impact on the planning and preparation should any issues arise.

“Contingency measures are currently being discussed should further measures be applied.”

Watford also confirmed they are in the “early stages” of dialogue with their water company.