Hughes is conscious of the pressures football can have on a player’s mental health so tries not to obsess when Watford lose

‘What drives me?” Will Hughes muses, and then smiles. “Playing. It sounds stupid to say, I just love playing football.” It is not the money as he could have enjoyed a prosperous career in business after leaving Repton School. It is not the fame as he has never chased the limelight, merely been thrust into it. It is just the opportunity to express his gifts, particularly with that elegant left foot, and tomorrow brings a chance to express himself at Wembley for Watford in the FA Cup semi-final against Wolverhampton Wanderers.

Talking after training on Thursday, the Surrey-born 23-year-old midfield player, who arrived at Watford from Derby County in 2017, shudders at the thought of being denied the ball’s company, of not playing. “It’s horrible