Marco Silva’s flirtations with Everton have done little to dampen the support Watford’s players have for their head coach, insists Andre Gray.

The Hornets’ record signing scored his second goal since an £18.5 million switch from Burnley in the summer as Watford overcame Newcastle United 3-0 on Saturday.

Victory at St James’ Park means Watford have won back-to-back games since Everton made an approach for Silva and are well on track for a top half finish.

Gray believes such form, while adding to Silva’s desirability, is evidence enough of the Watford squads’ commitment to their talented boss.

“I don’t think it helped the last two games that we have won because his stock obviously goes even higher,” Gray said.

“He keeps us level-headed and never lets us get carried away so we go into every game with confidence.

“It is all chat and the players know what that is like as well. We have a good thing here and at the end of the day it is down to the board what happens.

“All the players want him to stay and the fans, I am sure, want him to stay here as well.”

The Magpies were no match for Watford on Tyneside as a well-take Will Hughes opener and DeAndre Yedlin own-goal added to Gray’s strike in the win.

Hughes’ effort saw him find the net for the second match running and the 22-year-old once again impressed on the right-hand side.

The midfielder’s development and Silva’s decision to deploy him in an unfamiliar role shows, Gray argues, how the Portuguese boss is helping Watford evolve.

“His tactical awareness is fantastic and it makes the job easier for the boys,” he said. “He has this knack of making us forget what has happened in the last game.

“Especially with the young boys, he has brought them on. Richarlison is getting better every day and even Hughesey, who wasn’t getting in the team, I don’t see why he can’t get in the England team.”