AIDY Boothroyd has been hit by the news that Grzegorz Rasiak could be out for up to six weeks but has said he'd rather lose the Polish striker now that later on in the campaign.

Rasiak arrived at Vicarage Road from Championship rivals Southampton on a season long loan deal, but after only two appearances for the Golden Boys, he's been struck down by injury.

The 29-year-old has broken a bone in his shoulder and on medical advice has been told to rest up.

Boothroyd explained the injury, adding: "Grzegorz has come in and done very well for us.

"I like him as a person and the way he's been around the training ground. He's a terrific player and then you find out there's a possibility you might lose him for six weeks.

"Yes, it's a blow but we've had that before and we have to just keep on getting up.

"He picked it up against Charlton, we treated it and thought it was OK but he felt it again after the Forest game. We took him for a scan and we found that there's a little bit of bone that has come loose from his shoulder.

"In fairness to him he wanted to play on with it which is a real credit to him, but the medical staff told me that he can make it a lot worse and its better to lose him for six weeks rather than six months."

The manager confirmed that the ex-Derby man will stay with the Hornets during his rehabilitation.

He stated: "I want him here and around the place - there's limited things he can do but he's our player and I'll treat him as our player and I'd like to keep him as our player.

"Even after the short period of time he's had I think he's going to be a really good player for us.

"We can either whinge or moan about it or just get on it - we get up and brush ourselves down and get on with it.

"I was looking forward to seeing Grzegorz playing with Tamas [Priskin] and seeing their relationship develop, as well as with Tommy and whoever plays up there - it's disappointing but that's what happens.

"I would rather have an injury now than towards the end of the season when we might really need him."

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