TOMMY Smith's injury is not as bad as first feared, and the better news is that the player-of-the-season contender could well be in contention for the weekend's home fixture against Sheffield Wednesday according to manager Brendan Rodgers.
The forward came off shortly before half-time of the Hornets' win at The Valley last Saturday, after initially trying to run off the effects of a crude Kelly Youga challenge on him some moments earlier.
Rated as doubtful for tomorrow night's game against Nottingham Forest, Smith will simply be relieved that there is no lasting damage, a thought echoed by his manager.
"I was very, very disappointed by the tackle," expressed Rodgers.
"It was poor and I am just thankful that there is no long-lasting structural damage.
"Tommy is a doubt for tomorrow night, but hopefully he should be back with us for the weekend."
Scans revealed little more than bruising and swelling to his right knee and the 14-goal player will undergo intensive physiotherapy in a bid to heal the short-term problem.
Youga had won the ball before following through on the player but today there was no reaction to the challenge from Smith himself, who was in at London Colney early to receive treatment.
LET WATFORD BE THE PERFECT HOST
