Foxes on Ryan trail
■ (below) assure them that we’ll be giving it everything for them and we know they’ll be right behind us.
“We can’t wait to see them again, when it’s safe to do so, but this is how it is right now. We’ve got to make sure when they are allowed back to games, that they are coming back to watch Premier League football.”
After securing Foster’s services until 2022, Watford remain in talks with Jose Holebas, Heurelho Gomes and Mariappa about their futures.
But the trio have agreed shortterm contract extensions to cover the remainder of the delayed season.
All three were due to be out of contract on June 30, but they have agreed to the Fifaapproved extensions which cover leagues worldwide.
A club statement said talks were continuing with the players over the next step as they approach the end of their deals.
AUGUST 2018 – first four games leaves Javi Gracia joint top with Liverpool and Chelsea
Aug 12: Watford 2 Brighton 0
Aug 20: Burnley 1 Watford 3
Aug 26: Watford 2 Palace 1
Sept 2: Watford 2 Tottenham 1
AUGUST 2019 – first four games costs Gracia his job three months after reaching FA Cup Final
Aug 10: Watford 0 Brighton 3
Aug 17: Everton 1 Watford 0
Aug 24: Watford 1 West Ham 3
Aug 31: Newcastle 1 Watford 1
Mariappa,
33, has made 18 appearances for this season.
Fellow defender Holebas, 35, has played 13 times this term, while 39-year-old goalkeeper Gomes has made only three appearances in the Carabao Cup.
The Brazilian had decided to retire 12 months ago to become a pastor, but he was encouraged to stay at Vicarage Road for another year to help his teenage compatriot Joao Pedro settle in England.
Watford
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LEICESTER want Southampton’s Ryan Bertrand if Ben Chilwell leaves for Chelsea.
The Stamford Bridge club are lining up a £50m bid and Foxes boss Brendan Rodgers wants the 30-year-old former Chelsea man in as a replacement.
Southampton do not want to lose Bertrand, who they rate at around £10m, and are ready to offer him an extension to his existing deal, which has a year to run.
Saints boss Ralph Hasenhuttl has already outlined his reluctance to let players go without a fee or run their contracts into a final year.
Meanwhile, Everton want to take Chelsea’s Kurt Zouma back to Goodison Park.
The centre-back spent last season on loan at Goodison and boss Carlo Ancelotti is interested in another temporary deal.
Zouma is also being chased by Tottenham.