Troy Deeney has hinted that he would be willing to stay at Watford next season, but claims he has been given no clear indication where he stands with the club.

The captain has not featured in either of the Hornets' pre-season friendlies, while some think last week's arrival of Glenn Murray could mean the end of Deeney's time at Vicarage Road.

Speaking to the Sun, the 32-year-old said he will not be handing in any transfer requests, but understands if he is asked to move on.

“Me and Watford have had a ten-year relationship which has been successful not just for me but for the club as a whole," he said.

“I’m a big boy and if they decide they want to move in a younger direction, that’s part of life.

“We’re at a T-junction for both of us. Do they want to get rid of me? I think they would look at me and realise I can get them back up again — and I would back myself to do that — but there are finances and all sorts to work into that.

“They haven’t given me a definitive ‘You can go’ but I’ve seen plenty in the papers saying they wouldn’t mind me going. Even if it’s for a year on loan.

“I’m a Watford player until I’m told otherwise. I’m not one who’s going to be putting in transfer requests, or bashing the door down.”

Deeney has been linked with one or two clubs in the Premier League, including the side Watford beat in their last pre-season friendly, Tottenham Hotspur.

It is also understood that West Brom are interested in making a move.

The striker still sees the top flight as his level and believes he is a better player than some of the division's more expensive attackers.

“I definitely still see myself as a Premier League striker," he said.

“I scored double figures last season on one leg. Now I’m over my knee troubles. I’m back on two legs.

“I got ten in the league from 27 games, which was not a bad return. I know it includes penalties but Bruno Fernandes scores penalties as well at Man United.

“I’m not comparing myself to Fernandes but I’ve scored the opportunities presented to me.

“How many did Sebastien Haller get last year for West Ham? Six or seven. Or Joelinton for Newcastle? Two.

“Put it into context: these are £40million players and I only cost £300,000. My time’s not up.

“Physically or mentally, I wasn’t as fit as I needed to be last season but I learnt that I shouldn’t have pushed to play so many games and should have missed one to come back fitter for the next one.

“My character is ‘Get up and keep fighting’, unless I’ve been nailed to the ground.

“I missed over three months at the start of the season with the knee injury and I had a different knee problem at the end of the season.

“But it’s all cleared up now and I’m good to go. If we were playing tomorrow I’d be ready.”

Asked if his age could be an issue, given that he is now 32, the striker said he does not feel it should prevent him from performing at the highest level.

“I’m only 32 and in this day and age that’s nothing. We’re well past the days where you are over the hill at 30,” he said.

“But there is a stigma about it and when you look at England, the bulk of the squad is very young, vibrant and energetic.

“Yet look at someone like Glenn Murray, who’s just joined us. He’s still doing it at 36, nearly 37 and he’s had a proper good, long career at all levels.

“There’s room for everybody. All I want is a fair crack of the whip.

“I look at Glenn and at the likes of Ryan Giggs and Teddy Sheringham. I’m the sort who wants to play as long as I can and as long as I enjoy it.

“I’m different to someone like Jamie Vardy, who is a lot quicker than me but if he loses a yard he loses a large part of his game — whereas I never had the yard in the first place.

“Sheringham didn’t either and played into his 40s. It was all in the mind, knowing where to be at the right time without needing the pace.”