BOSS JAVI RECKONS WHERE THERE IS A WILL THERE’S AN OLE

BOYHOOD Liverpool fan Will Hughes goes back to Anfield with his head coach Javi Gracia acclaiming him as the ole grail in Watford’s midfield.

Every year, from the age of 16, Hughes was linked with a big-money move away from Derby County, mostly with Liverpool, until he finally left

Pride Park in an £8million switch last summer... to join the Hornets.

After waiting three months to make his first Premier League start, the former England Under-21 international (left) looked every inch a boy wonder reheated when he scored in consecutive games against West Ham and Newcastle. But three months out with a hamstring injury stalled his season and Hughes, still only 22, hopes for another gallop in a team where Gracia appreciates the Spanish flavour in his low-altitude passing.

Gracia (above) said: “Will has been back in full training for three weeks and already I have seen evidence of his quality. I’m sure there are many like him in English football but I think he would be more typical of a Spanish player.” Hughes, who used to watch Steven Gerrard from the Kop, said: “Ever since I was 16, I was being touted for moves to big clubs, but 90 per cent of it was just made up.”

Watford have a 100 per cent home record since Gracia took over from Marco Silva in January but have yet to score a goal away from home in the same period so the Spaniard knows the size of the task he faces today. “It is my first visit to Anfield,” he said. “I will try to enjoy it and the best way to enjoy it is by winning. If we play a very open game we will have a lot of chances to lose the game. But if you play against Liverpool thinking only about defending, you are going to lose for sure.”