Javi Gracia believes Adalberto Penaranda has a role to play in Watford’s season but warned the youngster that he must first prove his quality.

The 21-year-old returned to Watford this summer after spending last season on loan at Malaga and has been pictured with the first-team in pre-season.

Watford still need to resolve a work permit issue before the forward can play for the club and Gracia was none the wiser as to whether the player would be granted one.

The Spanish head coach can, however, comment on the player he has seen in pre-season training and while out on loan and was quick to stress he needs to improve.

“First of all, he needs to solve the situation with his work permit,” Gracia said.

“After that I think he is a good player, but he needs to improve his behaviour on the previous seasons when he has been out on loan.

“He hasn’t been able to keep his performances up consistently with his loan clubs, but he is a young player and I think it is my job to try and improve him.

“I think all the players are going to stay with us and I do not think this player is going to go out loan.”

Gracia’s assertion that it is his job to improve Penaranda will be a reassuring one to the Venezuelan as he looks to make an impression at Watford.

The Watford boss believes it is up to the player to show all his attributes before he can really begin to mould the youngster into a player capable of competing in the Premier League.

He said: “It is true that with young players they sometimes need time to realise things and this is the case with Penaranda.

“I think he is a good player but he needs to step up and show all the qualities he has.

“After he does that is when the coach can work with the player, but there are things the player has to do themselves before.”