New Watford manager Roy Hodgson has compared Ismaila Sarr to Wilfried Zaha.

The former Crystal Palace has returned to the game recently to take charge of the Hornets, and his first match will take place today in a crucial fixture against Burnley in the Premier League.

However, he will do so without Sarr, as he is currently away with the Africa Cup Of Nations, representing Senegal, who have reached the final of the competition against Egypt.

"It is going to be vital to have a player of his quality. I had a situation in my previous job at Crystal Palace where we had a player not too dissimilar, Wilf Zaha," Hodgson admitted.

"There was a comparable accusation that when Wilf didn't play, we didn't get the wins or results. I am used to that one, but if he (Sarr) can do as much to help this club as Wilf did for me at Palace, I shall be really happy, and I believe he can."

The 23-year-old has made 12 appearances in the Premier League this season, finding the back of the net five times.