Odion Ighalo has told boss Quique Flores he wants to play for Watford on Saturday to pay his own tribute to his late father.
The Nigerian, 26 did not fly back home after the death of dad Paul in his sleep in the early hours of Monday.
Ighalo’s heartbreak came only a day after his side had lost to Crystal in the FA Cup semi-final but he has agreed to stay with Watford and will be included against Aston Villa.
‘I asked Ighalo what the mood is for this week,’ said Flores. ‘He wanted to stay here training and at the end of the season he wants to go to Lagos to see his family.
‘His father passed away. He is sad but focused on the game.
‘I said do you want to train and do you want to be here? He said “yes I want to be here and I want to train. At the end of the season I want to go to Lagos but now I want to be here.”
‘He wants to dedicate the match for his father.’
Flores paid tribute to his 16-goal top scorer although the striker has only scored once since January.
‘This is the kind of player who doesn’t need extra motivation,’ he said. ‘He is an amazing player, scoring goals for us at the start of the season.
‘He is always very clever, very positive so the only thing I can say about Ighalo is amazing work.’
Watford are not yet safe but Flores is confident his side can assure their Premier League status despite being concerned with the match against Villa at Vicarage Road.
‘The difference between Aston Villa and Watford isn’t too much,’ he said. ‘They are in the relegation zone and we are in a good position but they have very good players who are in the bad moment.
