Sportsmail understands Etienne Capoue and Marco Silva were involved in a row

This happened during Watford's friendly defeat against Rangers on Wednesday

Silva is now ready to make an example of Capoue to rest of the Watford squad

Watford's hierarchy are understood to have been impressed with the manager

Capoue could be made available for transfer or he may be marginalised by Silva

Etienne Capoue’s future at Watford is in doubt after a furious training ground bust-up with new manager Marco Silva.

Sportsmail understands the former Tottenham midfielder and his boss were involved in a huge row following Watford’s behind-closed-doors friendly defeat against Rangers on Wednesday.

ADVERTISEMENT

Silva is now ready to make an example of Capoue which should act as a stark warning to the rest of the playing squad that he will not accept any indiscipline.

Etienne Capoue featured in Watford's pre-season defeat to Rangers on Wednesday

Click here to resize this module

Frenchman Capoue could now face the prospect of being made available for transfer or being marginalised by Silva, two years after he moved to Watford from Tottenham for a then club-record fee of £6.3million.

Watford’s hierarchy are understood to have been impressed with the way 40-year-old Silva dealt with the conflict.

The club’s training ground was a chaotic place last season during Italian Walter Mazzarri’s turbulent reign at the club, but Silva’s hardline management style has been welcomed by Vicarage Road staff.

Sportsmail understands Marco Silva and Capoue were involved in a huge row after the match

Sources claim Capoue reacted angrily at being criticised by Silva after Watford were beaten 2-1 by Rangers in the friendly, sparking a heated exchange.

Show Player

Capoue has been a regular at Watford since arriving from White Hart Lane in 2015. But Silva, who moved from Hull earlier this summer after their relegation from the Premier League, was not impressed with the player’s act of defiance.

ADVERTISEMENT

Silva, who started his managerial career at Estoril before moving on to Sporting and Olympiacos, quickly developed a reputation as a strict manager during his time with Hull. It is one of the main reasons why Watford moved for him — and the Portuguese has wasted no time in underlining his authority during his short time in charge.