Watford 'monitoring' Pompey situation

Watford have confirmed Porstmouth have paid the first instalment of Tommy Smith's transfer fee but they are keeping tabs on Pompey.

The south coast club have had a transfer embargo placed on them until they settle the transfer debts they owe to other clubs.

The Hornets saw Smith and defender Mike Williamson make the switch to Pompey during the summer, for a fee which could possibly reach £5million, and Watford's chief executive Julian Winter admitted the club would be keeping a close eye on the goings-on at Fratton Park.

Winter said: "The club can confirm that the first instalment on Tommy Smith's transfer has been paid by Portsmouth.

"We are monitoring the situation on the south coast and have every hope that the situation will resolve itself with the right outcome for all concerned parties."