The Hornets believe it is now unlikely they will sign Middlesbrough’s Andrew Taylor and expect a decision to be made in the next few days, the Watford Observer understands.

The left-back is understood to be very keen on a move back to Watford, where he enjoyed a successful four-month spell, even though he would have to take a pay cut.

Malky Mackay has confirmed Watford are still in negotiations with Middlesbrough, but we understand Boro are expected to reject their offer and keep hold of the player, even if it means losing the 24-year-old on a free transfer in the summer when he is out of contract.

Watford thought their offer of around £100,000 would be enough but it seems their Championship rivals want more for the player.

Mackay said: “We have been in dialogue with Middlesbrough but we are still talking to them at the moment and we will have to see which way that one goes.

“There is a new manager and Andrew has played in the last couple of weeks so we will have to wait and see.

“At the moment we have done as well as we can in the circumstances and we have to wait and see what their decision will be.”

Taylor was out of favour under former Boro boss Gordon Strachan and was loaned out to the Hornets, where he made 19 starts.

New manager Tony Mowbray has been impressed with Taylor since he returned to the Riverside at the beginning of January and has started the Boro Academy graduate in the last two games.

Joe Bennett, who signed a new four-and-a-half year contract this week, is clearly Mowbray’s first-choice left-back but the former West Bromwich Albion manager is playing Taylor on the left of midfield.

The transfer window closes on Monday and Mackay confirmed the club have yet to receive an offer for any of their players.

Someone who has certainly played his last game for Watford and will be leaving the club is Nathan Ellington after the striker joined Preston North End on loan earlier this month.

The Watford Observer understands Preston are paying half of Ellington’s wages during the four-month loan spell, which is a similar agreement to the one the Hornets had with Greek side Skoda Xanthi.