Quique Flores has expressed his confidence of keeping in-form Watford striker Odion Ighalo at the club during next month's transfer window.

Ighalo, 26, came up with Watford from the Championship last season and has been one of the Premier League's star players with 12 goals in 17 games, including a brace in Sunday's 3-0 win over Liverpool.

The Hornets will be seventh at Christmas, only a point behind the top four, after a fine return to the top flight.

Flores believes that he can deter suitors next month, but admitted that it might be a different story come the end of the season.

"I think Ighalo is completely clever, he chose five months ago the option to stay here with Watford," PA quotes Flores as saying.

"He chose to stay here because he imagined something special for him. It's very clever, he knew perfectly it was the best option for him.

"I think he'll finish the season with Watford, after that anybody knows."

In 2015, Ighalo has scored 28 goals in English league football, more than anyone else in the top four divisions.