Claudio Ranieri believes Watford's defending will improve once there is more competition for places.

After a disappointing defeat to Southampton at Vicarage Road, questions were put to the head coach about the strength and depth of his defensive options.

However, with three central defenders still unavailable for selection in his starting XI he said he is currently unable to give an honest assessment of his team's back line.

"Now it is difficult for me to say something," said Ranieri.

"I can play just with the two defenders. Nkoulou is not ready yet, maybe he will be for the next match. The other two players, Francisco Sierralta and Christian Kabasele, have to come back and I want to see tham and maybe they can improve.

"I’m sure with the training sessions with these players we can improve."

One player Ranieri was able to provide an assessment of was Ismaila Sarr, who cut a frustrated figure out on the right.

The Italian believes that he tried his best, but that for now things just are not falling for the winger.

"Sarr is a champion and all the champions have some matches that’s not so easy to score goals," he continued. "Sometimes, suddenly everything they touch is fantastic. I’m very happy with the performance of Sarr, he tried to do his best.

"Sometimes he has to run, or do more with one on ones. This can happen in football and it can happen with a champion."