The Hornets striker Uche Ikpeazu is set to rejoin Crewe Alexandra on a two-month loan, the Watford Observer understands.

Ikpeazu scored four goals in ten starts during the second half of last season for Crewe and made another four substitute outings as the League One club survived relegation.

The 19-year-old has yet to play for the Golden Boys' first team since he joined from Reading in 2013 - following a season where he was the top scorer in the country at academy level - and recently accepted another loan move may be required.

Ikpeazu only played his first competitive match of the season a month ago after ankle surgery this summer. It has been a difficult few months for the 6ft 3ins striker as after nearing a return following eight weeks out, he suffered another set-back which kept him sidelined for a further two months.

He scored one goal and set up the other on his return for the Under-21s at Bristol City last month but with Troy Deeney, Matej Vydra, Odion Ighalo, Fernando Forestieri and Diego Fabbrini in front of him - not to mention Mathias Ranegie who will be eligible for selection in just over a month's time after his Millwall loan ended prematurely - Ikpeazu would have struggled to secure a place in Watford's match-day squads.

"We have exceptional strikers at Watford," Ikpeazu acknowledged during an interview with the Watford Observer last month.

"The likes of Matej Vydra and Troy Deeney have done it [at Championship level] and will continue to do it. Training with them is fantastic because I learn from them.

"Personally I might have to go out on loan because of the size of the squad and the people in my position. But if the manager (Slavisa Jokanovic) decides I should stay then it is up to him. I just want to play games and hopefully I will get my opportunity. I will keep working hard."

Ikpeazu's last spell at The Alexandra Stadium was deemed a successful one but almost ended after just six weeks. Crewe complained to Watford about Ikpeazu's level of fitness and contemplated cancelling his loan spell. Double sessions helped improve his fitness and he subsequently helped the club avoid relegation to the fourth tier of English football.

Ikpeazu said: "It was hard because I had been training for six months and didn't play a first team game, which was difficult.

"I went on loan and I wasn't 100 per cent match fit because I hadn't played any competitive games.

"But when I did play, I thought I did quite well and we stayed up. That was the most important thing. I scored goals and that was all I could do."