Watford goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes has said the club cannot afford to be without captain Troy Deeney for the remaining games of the season.

The skipper has not been attending training, despite the Premier League giving teams the green light to return last week, amid fears for the safety of his son.

Today a further Premier League vote gave clubs the go-ahead to resume contact training as a return to action draws nearer and while Gomes understands Deeney's reasons for not wanting to participate in training, he told Sky Sports the club need him back to be part of the relegation fight.

"Of course Troy has his reasons, because he has someone at home, especially his son, of course he needs to look after him," said the Brazilian.

"We are checking and creating a safe environment around the club, I believe it is very safe for us to be there.

"We cannot afford to lose a player like Troy Deeney. Of course, we've got other players that can fill this gap, but the problem is they're not the same because he's been at the club for the last ten years, we need him and we need everybody to be on board."