Championship promotion hopefuls Watford have apparently identified highly-rated Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Tom Carroll as a potential loan signing.

Carroll, who scored in England Under-21s' 6-0 thrashing of Scotland Under-21s on Tuesday, is considered a real prospect at White Hart Lane but may find first-team opportunities hard to come by this season.

Spurs boss Andre Villas-Boas has already signed Brazilian international Paulinho this summer and looks poised to also add Toulouse enforcer Etienne Capoue to his midfield ranks.

A string of temporary signings helped the Hornets reach the playoffs last season and Sky Sports News reports that manager Gianfranco Zola feels his side can again benefit from the loan system with the recruitment of Carroll.

Tottenham's willingness to allow the 21-year-old to leave may depend on whether or not they can offload midfielders Tom Huddlestone and Scott Parker, who are both surplus to requirements at Spurs.