BOSS Aidy Boothroyd doesn't want to tempt fate but believes his men are over the worst of their recent injury problems.

Boosted by the two-week international break, the lapse in league action has allowed time for necessary rest and for Head of Medical, Andy Rolls, and his team to work with those injured players at the Hornets' London Colney training ground.

Ahead of the trip to the south coast this weekend the Yorkshire man revealed that available numbers are growing, a boost with 11 games coming up over the next six weeks.

Starting with the goalkeeper department, there is no major change with Mart Poom and youngster Scott Loach still sidelined.

However, better news is that Lloyd Doyley (hamstring) and midfielder John Eustace (thigh) trained for the first time yesterday (Wednesday). The game with Southampton this Saturday is likely to be a step too far but their progress will be closely monitored over the next few days.

Grzegorz Rasiak is unable to line up against his parent club at St Mary's but his shoulder injury is improving and the boss is hopeful he'll play some part against Cardiff on Tuesday, if he carries on improving at the current rate.

Captain Jay DeMerit is making good progress after picking up a minor hamstring tweak - he's had a scan and is hopeful of a return soon. 

Midfielder Jobi McAnuff looks to have overcome his back problem as he played 90 minutes for the second string yesterday (Wednesday) against Peterborough, where he scored for the Golden Boys in a 2-1 victory.

Forward Theo Robinson has had his protective cast removed following a broken bone in his arm and is now back in contention.

Boothroyd said: "I'm a lot more hopeful than I was a few weeks ago when we had a small squad and nine injured."

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