Troy Deeney has admitted it might be difficult for him to get into the Watford team this season, but said he is hoping not to spend too much time on the bench.

In his programme notes for Saturday's season opener against Aston Villa, the number nine claimed he has to start performing in order to keep himself in Xisco Munoz's plans.

However, he knows that if he does not start playing well, people will question his age and whether or not he can still produce at the highest level.

"What am I least looking forward to? Sitting on the bench," he wrote.

"I don't want to. But I'm going to have to if I'm not among the best forwards in our squad at any given time.

"The challenges for me have changed during pre-season. Ten weeks ago it was about losing weight via mainly muscle mass so I'm not as bulky. Does my knee hurt? Does my Achilles hurt? Once l'd started ticking all those boxes off, it was good to be in a position where I know there's no excuses left.

"There's no fear now. I'm ready to go and if I can't do it, then I know I'm just not good enough."

At 33 years of age, the debate around Deeney's ability has intensified in recent seasons, but the striker feels that it will not be an issue if he can rediscover his best form.

However, he is impressed with the competition for his place up front this season and feels it will be difficult for him to earn the right to be starting games.

"Age only becomes a number when you start believing you're too old," he said.

"I've seen Jimmy Anderson get wound up when it's mentioned all the time. He's 39 now, but leaner than ever and arguably still at his peak in terms of what he can do with a cricket ball.

"If you deliver the age debate becomes an irrelevance even though lazy people might still go on about it.

"I'm coming off the back of an injury having barely played in six months so I know what I've got to do and how hard it's going to be to do that.

"If you look at some of the lads we've signed, then it's logical to assume it's going to be hard for anyone to get in the side easily."