But it is more likely Doucoure will move on from Watford at the end of the season, with the Hornets determined to keep hold of him during the January window.

"To be honest, I am working the same way by thinking Abdoulaye will be with me for a long time," said Gracia. "We will see what happens, but I did the same thing with Richarlison. In the end, he left Watford at the end of the season to join Everton.

"I don't have control of the situation. I prefer to do the things that I have under my control and then I prefer to work the same way by thinking he will be with me.

"He is a good professional and that is the most important thing. He is focused on Watford and he knows that the best thing for him, for us, and for everybody, is for him to give his best and this way we will see what happens in the future."

Doucoure is likely to start for Watford when they host Burnley at Vicarage Road on Saturday.

The Hornets are seventh in the Premier League after they recovered from a goal down to win at Crystal Palace last weekend.

But, with Watford unlikely to challenge the top six, and the threat of relegation now minimal, will it be hard for Gracia to keep his players motivated until the end of the campaign?

"No, it will not be difficult because our motivation comes from ourselves and from within," added the Spaniard. "We are competing well, we are focused on trying to win the next game. This is our mentality, and that is enough motivation for us."

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