The impact made by Ashley Charles and Alex Jakubiak in pre-season has impressed Watford head coach Javi Gracia.

Both Charles and Jakubiak featured in friendly matches against Stevenage and Brentford over the course of the weekend in games which saw the Hornets record back-to-back wins.

Gracia was pleased with both players’ efforts and praised the manner in which they matched the standards of their more experienced team-mates.

“I am very happy with them,” Gracia said. “They were different games in different moments but they always competed at the same level as the rest of the players.

“It’s a good thing for the club and for the academy that two players like them came here today and competed how they have done.

“I know Ashley more from last season because he trained with us more than Alex [who was out on loan], but both have competed very well for me.”

With the new campaign now less than a fortnight from getting underway, focus is beginning to turn to the Premier League season.

Gracia admits his first XI is taking shape for the clash with Brighton & Hove Albion on August 11, but says he will give his entire squad every chances to impress before then.

He said: “I have my idea about the first XI, but need to be open and fair with all the players in the next two weeks because things can change.”