Watford midfielder Tom Dele-Bashiru has revealed that he may not be back playing before the end of this season.

Speaking during the club's Hive Live broadcast on Saturday, the former Manchester City man said that he was pleased to be back working at the training ground, after sustaining anterior cruciate ligament damage away at Reading in only the fourth league match of the campaign.

However, he wants to come back only when the time is right and he is fully fit, instead of rushing himself back early and risking the work he has already put into his rehabilitation.

“No-one wants to rush me back,” he said. “This is a long-term injury and maybe I'll be back at the end of this season or the start of the next. We are meeting each goal and then moving onto the next one.

"It's good to be back around the lads. I spoke to Nate, Dom, Troy and Clevs while I was in Manchester, but it's much better to be with them now. It gives me extra motivation and I know I need to work really hard to get in and around this team. Everyone is performing so well, especially in that midfield three.”

Upon his return, Dele-Bashiru is planning to make the most of the experienced heads he will be playing alongside in the team and learn as much as he can.

“I'm still so young, I love learning from more experienced players," he said. "I've learnt a lot from Clevs. He's a great player on and off the field. He's a leader, communicates so well and works really hard. There are things I need to add to my game from him. I'm a creative midfielder, but I can play deeper as well. I like getting on the ball, driving forward, scoring and assisting. I like the expectation on me and I just can't wait to show what I can do and start playing again.”