Watford legend Lloyd Doyley insists his hunger has never wavered as he targets a move to a new club for next season.

The fans’ favourite’s last contract at Vicarage Road ended last summer but he has been training with the Hornets during pre-season in a bid to build up his fitness and help him find a new club.

Doyley joined Rotherham United on a short-term contract in February and made three appearances. But he is now a free agent again and the 33-year-old is focused on securing first-team football heading into the new campaign.

The right-back said: “My hunger has never changed. There’s no better feeling than when you go out there, train every day and then when it comes to the weekend you play a game.

“There’s no better feeling than that so I’m still hungry to do that. I’m still hungry to win.

“Being at Watford for the last three or four years we became winners and that’s what I feel I am. I want to go back to that so I’m still hungry.

“I’m fully fit now and only had a minor injury at the end of last season. I’m training every day and just waiting to sign for someone else.”

Doyley added: “I’m fit and raring and hungry to go. I’m just looking forward to the next season wherever that will be.

“At this precise moment there are a lot of teams that can only take a six-month or year loan so hopefully that will put me in good stead as I’m a free transfer.”

Having spent most of his career in the Championship, Doyley would like to find a club at this level of English football but he is happy to keep his options open.

The defender said: “In football it’s always about rumours and until it actually happens you have to wait until you have signed on the dotted line. At this precise moment I haven’t done that yet.

“I’m looking to play as high as possible. That’s what everyone’s ambition is. I played in the Championship my whole life so that would be a start. But you never know in football who’s going to come in for you so there are no boundaries really. But for me personally I want to play as high as I can.”

Doyley, who has stayed in touch regularly with some of the Watford squad, spent time training with the club last season after recovering from neck surgery and is back again this summer.

He said: “I’ve got a good relationship with Watford so they allowed me to train there and keep fit during the off season.

“The sports scientist, Jack Baxter, who looked after me last season when I had my neck injury, did a few running sessions with me and strengthening sessions so when pre-season did start I was fully fit. I’ve done that for most of the summer.

“Obviously for me to be travelling up to Rotherham wasn’t going to be good for anyone to be honest. It takes two and a half hours to get there so this allowed me to stay at home. I’ve got a good relationship with Watford so it wasn’t a problem.”

After making 443 first-team appearances for Watford, it would have been no surprise if Doyley found it difficult moving on.

But the Hornets’ fifth highest appearance maker insists he always knew the time would come when he had to leave the club he joined at the age of nine.

“That’s football,” Doyley said. “Most players move on every two or three years. That point was always going to come so that’s in the past now. Right now I’m just looking forward to playing again. I’ve hopefully got a full pre-season under my belt and then I can kick on and forget about the past and move on.

“Obviously Watford will always be in my heart and I’m glad I did so well. I speak to most of the boys still and I’m glad they’re doing really well. But at this precise moment I’m looking to move on and so are they.”

Watford Observer:

Doyley enjoyed the challenge of helping Rotherham stay up last season and also appreciated working with experienced manager Neil Warnock during his four-month spell at the club.

He said: “I really enjoyed it. I had a couple of niggly injuries while I was there. Once I signed there wasn’t the best atmosphere right at the beginning because obviously they lost five or six games in a row and everyone said they were definitely going to get relegated.

“Neil just went in there and turned things around with practically the same team which lost six games in a row. We went 11 games unbeaten with a few little minor changes, here and there, and we were one of the form teams in the Championship.

“He’s honest and straight forward. You know what you’re getting from him and he expects the same from you. If you’re reliable and consistent, as long as he knows what he’s going to get, he’ll stick by you.

“I liked his character. He’s quite a funny manager and comes up with a few funny things during the team talk. That adds to his character and it’s what you want in football.”

Doyley was a permanent fixture in the Hornets’ defence for more than a decade. He built up a great relationship with Watford’s fans during his time at the club and was renowned for his exceptional work ethic.

It would be easy to get emotional about his time at Vicarage Road but Doyley has a steely determination and focus to ensure he makes the most of the remaining time in his playing career.

“Obviously I’ve had great memories at Watford,” he said. “I’ve won two promotions and we’ve had some great times over the last 15 years. But as I’ve said, Watford have moved on now and so have I.

“I’m still looking forward to playing in the league. I hope for the best for Watford and obviously look forward to the future as well.”