Watford coach Walter Mazzarri has urged striker Troy Deeney to continue to work hard if he is to have any chance of earning an England call-up.

The 28-year-old has yet to pick up a cap for the Three Lions first team despite his impressive form in front of goal in recent years.

Deeney was once again overlooked for the last international squad, with interim coach Gareth Southgate picking other forwards for the 2018 World Cup qualifiers against Malta and Slovenia.

The Hornets star was ignored, despite scoring three goals in his last four matches and Mazzarri believes he must continue to work hard in the coming weeks and months.

He told Sky Sports: “Deeney has to show and to prove in the next games that he can be called up to the national team.

“When I speak with Troy, I always tell him that he just needs to show it with Watford in order to be called up for the national team.

“He’s got everything that a good forward needs. He’s got physical, technical ability. It’s just a matter of him proving it with Watford.”

Deeney scored his 99th goal for Watford during the 2-2 draw with Bournemouth last time out and he could enter the history books this weekend against Middlesbrough.

He will become only the fifth player in Watford’s history to score 100 goals, joining the likes of Luther Blissett, Tommy Barnett, Cliff Holton and Ross Jenkins.

Boro are the 2.25 favourites at home, with the draw 3.25, while the Hornets are available at odds of 3.50.