Watford's Marvin Sordell given Ashley Young inspiration

Sordell found the net in his first England Under-21 start on Monday, a 4-1 win over Israel

Watford striker Marvin Sordell says the rise of Hornets youth product Ashley Young has given hope to a new generation of youngsters.

Manchester United winger Young scored for England this week, while Sordell, 20, got off the mark for the Under-21s.

"Of course you take inspiration, Ashley came from Watford and a lot of people probably think 'little old Watford'," Sordell told BBC Three Counties Radio.

"But he's worked really hard and that's what's got him his rewards."

After coming through the ranks at Vicarage Road, Young scored 20 goals in 101 league games for Watford, and has since moved on to Aston Villa and now United, amassing total transfer fees of £26.65m.

He has made a blistering start to his Old Trafford career, highlighted by his brace in the 8-2 thrashing of Arsenal.

Sordell is looking like another Watford success story, after netting 15 times last season and adding two more to his tally in this campaign.

"Out of the academy there are a lot of young players coming through, a lot of young internationals who have made their Watford debuts," he added.

"There's a lot of talent here and the management know that, and it's about playing them when they're ready."

The Hornets have found goals hard to come by this season, scoring four times in five league outings.

But Sordell insists the departure of last term's top scorer Danny Graham to Swansea has not changed the approach of the club's remaining strikers.

"It's no different from last season, I looked at it last year and thought 'I want to be the main guy'," he said.

"Nobody's different, everyone wants to be the main player.

"And if you've got players who all want to make a big impact, then you're going to have a good team."