Troy Deeney has insisted that Watford's friendly match against Malaga will benefit the team when they take on Crystal Palace in the Championship playoff final.

The Hornets recently embarked on a five-day training camp in Marbella, where they triumphed 2-1 over a weakened Andalusian outfit in preparation for Monday's crucial Wembley clash.

"The boss (Gianfranco Zola) does not like us having too long between games," Sky Sports News quotes Deeney as saying. "It was only 45 minutes each and nothing major. There were no big tackles or anything like that. It was just to keep us ticking over.

"We worked hard over there and the fitness guys will make sure we are 100% on the day. We don't want a week off and then play catch-up on the big day.

"Our aim is to be 100% and be ready for Palace."

Watford were relegated from the Premier League under Aidy Boothroyd in 2007.