Daniel Bachmann is looking forward to returning to Watford and competing for a place in goal next season.

The Austrian international spent last season on loan with Kilmarnock, but will return to the Hornets ahead of the next campaign and, in an interview with the club website, he said he hopes he can push Ben Foster for a first team place.

“I’m keen to push on,” he said.

“I’m coming back on July 1 with the others and I’m looking forward to the challenge. Obviously I know Ben [Foster] has had an incredible season.

"He’s been in the Premier League for a long time and yet that was probably his best season so far, so that shows just how well he played. It will be tough to get past him but football is all about competition and waiting for your chance. I think the competition will do us both good and I’m ready to play.”

The keeper said his time out on loan improved him as a player and that the experience he gained in Scotland was valuable.

He now thinks he is mentally prepared enough to face the Premier League's toughest opponents.

“One hundred per cent [I’m a better ‘keeper now],” he said.

“There is no doubt about that. Playing games is very important and I’ve developed a lot. I’ve learned to cope with the mental pressure and I’m a lot more relaxed.

"You can train as much as you want but there is nothing that develops you better than playing in front of 60,000 people at Celtic Park.”

Although he finished the season as Killie's number one choice between the sticks, he had to wait for a chance after paperwork delays ruled him out of the first two games.

However, after an impressive campaign, he now wants his development to coincide with that of the Hornets and is looking forward to getting back to Watford.

Bachmann has even remained in contact with some of the team members while he was away on loan and he says he wants to help them get over the disappointment of their FA Cup final defeat.

“It was very frustrating initially,” he said. “I missed the first league game because the loan didn’t happen in time and then my international clearance didn’t come through in time for the second game.

"Jamie MacDonald kept a clean sheet in the first game and then they went on a run. I just had to be patient. I had a few chats with Steve Clarke and I knew I’d get a chance at some point.

“I’m good friends with Daryl [Janmaat]. I think we spoke nearly every day. I spoke to a few of the other lads as well.

"It’s been an incredible season for the club and although the FA Cup final didn’t go the way everyone wanted, it was still a day no-one will forget. It was an incredible achievement and I’m sure everyone just wants to kick on now.”