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After signing a new five-year deal at Watford, centre-back Mattie Pollock could be a future Hornets captain, according to boss Tom Cleverley.

Pollock arrived from Grimsby Town in July 2021 and had loan spells with Cheltenham and Aberdeen before breaking into the Watford picture in 2023-24.

The 23-year-old has started all 14 Championship games this season and scored his first Hornets goal in a 5-0 Carabao Cup first round win over MK Dons in August, a game in which he captained the side.

Cleverley thinks Pollock can go on to become club skipper on a permanent basis and : “He’s a leader, he’s got a good sense of humour and he’s got great energy. He’s a well-liked character.

“What’s impressed us most as staff is how he’s improved on the ball. He’s really comfortable in possession now and that’s why he’s been catapulted from someone on the fringes to consistently in the team.”