Time spent out on loan has allowed Isaac Success to realise how big an opportunity he has with Watford in the Premier League, according to Hornets boss Javi Gracia.

The Nigerian forward spent the second half of last season with Malaga as he tried to regain match sharpness after an injury-plagued first half to the 2017/18 campaign.

Gracia has been impressed by Success since pre-season this year and believes time away from the club has seen the striker refined his focus.

“Sometimes the players need to spend time on loan and with other clubs to have another experience and realise the chance they have playing for Watford,” Gracia said.

“In this moment Isaac knows it is a good chance for him. He is working hard, had a good pre-season with a good attitude and is waiting for the minutes to show what he can do.”

What chances Success has had have largely come in the Carabao Cup where he scored two in two as well as emphatically netting from the spot in the penalty shoot loss to Tottenham last week.

His display against Spurs at Stadium MK in particular caught the eye as he capped a powerful display with a fierce finish to give his side a second half lead.

For Gracia, it was a performance which highlighted Success’ key attributes of pace and power and he has been impressed with the manner in which he has taken his chances when presented.

“He has worked really hard and you can see he is really fit. He is competing very well and is strong against the centre-backs,” he said.

Against Tottenham, for example, he played against centre-backs who played against Barcelona in Davinson Sanchez and Toby Alderweireld and he dominated the game and scored.

“I think he is helping us and the most important thing for me is I know he is ready when the team needs him to be.”