Watford manager Walter Mazzarri has compared Etienne Capoue to Napoli attacker Marek Hamsik.

Capoue has flourished in a more attacking role since Mazzarri's arrival at Vicarage Road, scoring five league goals already this season having managed just one in his first three campaigns in English football.

Mazzarri talked up the attacking qualities of the midfielder, likening his attributes to those of Hamsik, whom he managed at Napoli.

"I think Capoue is a player that is in the position where he needs to start from behind and always comes to the fore because of the physique he has and for the type of player he is," he told reporters.

"He reminds me of Hamsik as a player, I think he's very similar, a player that comes from behind and goes to score as well. He's got a good shot, good qualities to play in that position."

Capoue is already just two goals short of the highest-scoring league season of his career.