Ben Foster believes he will look back on his return to Watford as a “golden period” of his career.

The keeper, who spent two years on loan at Vicarage Road early in his career, signed a permanent deal with Watford in the summer.

Foster has settled in quickly back at the club, helping Watford make a flying start to the campaign, and feels he will look back fondly on the stage of this career when he does eventually hang up his gloves.

“When I’ve retired I’ll probably look back at this as a golden period of my career because I’ve enjoyed it so much. It’s just a pleasure to come into work every day,” Foster told the Watford programme.

“I’ve got to say, since I did come back it has been such a breeze for me. It’s been so easy to mix in, everyone around the training ground is top-class and it has made it so easy for myself.

“I’ve enjoyed it so much, and I’m a character who doesn’t really like too much change. I like the same sort of routine, so this was a little bit out of my comfort zone, but I’ve thoroughly enjoyed it.”

Foster has come into a club which has changed dramatically since his days on loan at Vicarage Road between 2005 and 2007.

He says the Hornets are now focused on more than the minimum target of maintaining Premier League status and feels Watford can push on in 2018/19.

“We’ve never spoken about just getting safe,” he said. “We always want to progress and get better and further up the league.

“This season especially, everybody says it seems that everything is clicking and people are starting to believe now we are a decent team.

“We’ve got the right ingredients now to make this work properly.”