Jay DeMerit's future at Watford could hinge on Wednesday night's second leg of the Championship playoff semifinals against Hull City at KC Stadium.

The Hornets face the uphill task of overturning a 2-0 deficit from the home leg in an effort to reach the final against Bristol City at Wembley, and failure to advance could signal the end of DeMerit's four years at Vicarage Road.

With center back Danny Shittu a major doubt with a pulled hamstring, DeMerit is a likely starter alongside Leigh Bromby - but the US international, who was plucked from non-league obscurity by Watford coach Ray Lewington in 2005, has not always seen eye-to-eye with manager Aidy Boothroyd this season.

Despite being named captain to replace the departing Gavin Mahon at the end of last year, DeMerit has failed to nail down a regular starting spot in the team since returning to action from injury in February. Four starts and six substitute appearances since then allowed him to finish the regular season with a total of 35 league appearances.

The Wisconsin-born stopper started the first leg of the playoff on the bench, with acting captain John Eustace sent off after 61 minutes.

"I don't think I've done anything to warrant a drop," DeMerit told ESPN. "But I don't know how to react, because why wouldn't I be (upset) after what has kind of gone on?"

The American had been one of Boothroyd's core players since 2005, and a year later, scored the winning goal at the Millennium Stadium, which lifted Watford into the Premier League.

When Middlesbrough and two other Premier League clubs showed interest in signing the 28-year old last summer, it is believed Boothroyd persuaded him to stay in Hertfordshire and remain at the heart of his Hornets team.

Now, the relationship between the pair is showing signs of cracking and the prospect of another season in the Championship may tempt DeMerit, who also hopes to have a role for the US National Team at World Cup 2010, to look elsewhere for playing time.

"We have decent talks because we have that respect of being together and me playing over 100 games under him, but actions speak louder than words," he added.

"I know I've done enough to warrant playing - whether that is for Watford or someone else, that's to be decided."