Watford should hijack potential Blackburn Rovers deal following Man City decision | OneFootball

Max Alleyne has returned to Manchester City and now Watford must enter the race for Eiran Cashin on loan.

Following an impressive showing for Watford, Max Alleyne has been recalled by Manchester City amid injury concerns for the Premier League giants.

Fabrizio Romano has reported that the centre-back will return to the Etihad Stadium with Josko Gvardiol set to be out of action for a number of weeks through injury.

The 20-year-old made 17 appearances for the Hornets in all competitions, helping the club to sixth in the table after 25 games, with all but one of those appearances coming in the Championship.

Nevertheless, the Bristol-born ace will now be looking forward to the prospect of making his Manchester City debut as they go in the hunt for the Premier League title. However, this leaves Watford light at the back, and now they must turn their attention to a transfer race for another young top flight defender.

Watford should set their sights on Eiran Cashin after Max Alleyne recall decision

Alleyne's loan move to Vicarage Road was his first taste of senior football, and he impressed with Javi Gracia, making him a key part of his starting XI over the course of the last few months.

Now, the Spaniard has a difficult decision as to who to replace him with, and he can take inspiration from a Championship rival in the form of Blackburn Rovers, who are reportedly showing a keen interest in Eiran Cashin.

The former Derby County man is on loan at Birmingham City from Brighton & Hove Albion, but he is yet to find his feet at St. Andrew's and the Seagulls may be keen for the left-footed centre-back to get more consistent minutes for a team fighting towards the top end of the Championship.

Cashin has made just 11 league appearances for Blues so far this season, with all but three of those coming from off the bench and therefore his future in the West Midlands has come into question.

With Alleyne making his way back to Manchester in the coming days, an opportunity may well arise for the 24-year-old at Watford, and it could well be a match made in heaven.

Eiran Cashin has a point to prove this season in the Championship

It was just 12 months ago when Cashin departed Derby for his first taste of Premier League football at Birghton, but the Republic of Ireland international hopeful struggled to adapt to the step-up and in the summer he was loaned out to Birmingham.

Yet, a return to the second tier has not coincided with a return to form, and the defender will be keen to prove to many that he has what it takes to become one of the division's very best centre-backs and a move to Watford could well be the perfect transfer.

Blackburn are in a relegation battle, and Brighton may be reluctant to allow one of their prospects to move to a club in such a desperate position and, therefore, the Hornets may be able to entice the Seagulls into a deal more easily.

Kevin Keben will also be keen to recapture the vacancy that has been left by Alleyne's departure, but with Cashin a more natural option in the left centre-back position, this would give him a huge opportunity to show his talents at a top Championship side.

Meanwhile, James Abankwah could also be utilised in this area of the pitch, but just like Keben, he is a right-footed player.

With Alleyne gone, there is a place in the team for Cashin to win at Vicarage Road and if he wants to add to the one career promotion that he already has with Derby, then he may well have that chance at Watford.