Pulis admires Watford's Deeney

The former Stoke boss was interested in signing the Watford captain in the summer, but no deal was agreed as the Hornets were unwilling to sell the striker.

Pulis' defence could come up against the 29-year-old this weekend as Watford travel to the Hawthorns, and the Welsh coach says he still holds the striker in high regard.

"We've liked Deeney," Pulis said in his pre-match press conference. "In his first couple of years in the Premier League he did exceptionally well for Watford.

"But he is a Watford player so it's difficult for me to talk about individual players, especially when we're playing them tomorrow. I've been an admirer from a distance."

Last season Troy Deeney scored his 100th Watford goal in the 2-0  defeat of West Brom at Vicarage Road in April, but a lot has changed for the Hertfordshire club since then.

Former Hull boss Marco Silva has since taken over at Vicarage Road, replacing Marco Materazzi, and his side currently sit sixth in the table, and Pulis believes Silva's strong start has been helped by the club's owners.

"He has got a better horse to ride this year compared to last," said Pulis. "He has been backed - they've spent quite a bit of money.

"I don't know quite a few of the players who have come in from abroad but they look a very capable team at the moment. It'll be a tough game for us.

"It'll be interesting to see how he does [Silva]. They will give him a chance."