Watford's promotion celebrations are still fresh in the memory but the club are already planning a strategy to make sure they can compete in the Premier League next season.

While holding onto top talent like Ismaila Sarr is the club's priority, with Joao Pedro's significant contract extension part of that plan, there are a few key areas that need improvement before next season.

Here's where we think the Hornets need to strengthen ahead of their return to the top flight.

1. The left

Currently, there are only two naturally left-sided players in the Watford team and it showed last season. The lopsided squad had plenty of threat down the right hand side, but struggled to produce the same kind of dominance on the other side of the pitch.

Ken Sema's new contract was undoubtedly good news, but the Swede needs help. By the end of the season he looked exhausted, but was unable to have a rest, with no real back up available and this is something that needs to be addressed. An attacking left-sided player to provide both competition and relief for Sema is much-needed.

One option for this role could be AC Milan's Jens Petter Hauge, a 21-year-old Norwegian, who Watford are interested in.

Behind Sema there is a problem as well. Adam Masina is a good left-back, but missed half of the season with injury, forcing other players to fill in for him out of position. This was an issue that irked Vladimir Ivic, who continually asked for reinforcements to be brought in and eventually the club agreed, only after the coach's departure.

Achraf Lazaar plugged the hole unconvincingly for a few games, but a more reliable option is required.

Talks with Hibernian over Josh Doig are underway, suggesting the club is aware of this issue, but a deal is not likely to be forthcoming yet with the youngster involved in the Scottish Cup Final this weekend.

2. Up front

Joao Pedro's emergence last season was a delight to watch, but relying on a 19-year-old striker in the Premier League would be risky to say the least. While Troy Deeney contributed with penalties, there are likely to be fewer of those to make the most of in the top flight.

Watford's top scorer in the Championship was Ismaila Sarr and while he will always be a threat, the pressure should not be on him to keep the Hornets up on his own and having reliable goalscorers around him is imperative to having a successful campaign.

The club has already moved to strengthen its depth in attack, with young striker Kwadwo Baah and free agent Ashley Fletcher agreeing deals already, but they are not enough to ensure next season is a success.

However, Andre Gray, Isaac Success and Stipe Perica all remain on the books at Vicarage Road, so it's likely someone will need to make way before significant progress can be made.

Ike Ugbo has also been identified as a target.

3. Midfield

On the face of it, Watford have a good experienced midfield that they can build around, including the likes of Will Hughes, Nathaniel Chalobah and Tom Cleverley, all of whom have impressed throughout the recent season.

However, attacking options in the centre of the pitch are few and far between and bringing in someone who can score and create behind the strikers would help improve their chances in attack.

Aberdeen's Lewis Ferguson has been identified as an option that could add more fire going forward.

4. Central Defence

While the club haven't exactly made a habit of bringing in central defenders in recent years, last season's additions of Francisco Sierralta and William Troost-Ekong were signs that this may be about to change.

Despite those two arriving, an extra centre back would really help to steady the ship, particularly with neither of those new arrivals having played in the Premier League before.

Both look decent defensively, while Christian Kabasele and Craig Cathcart are fairly reliable too, but distribution out of defence remains a cause for concern and a calm, experienced head would be a welcome presence.

Udinese defender Jens Stryger Larsen is someone that could be an obvious choice for the role, given the Serie A side's links with the Hornets and the fact that his contract is about to enter its final year.

While Larsen is primarily a right back, he has been known to play in the centre and at 30-years-old has plenty of experience.

Sources have suggested that bringing him to England is a move that has at least been discussed before, but whether or not it comes to fruition remains to be seen.