WATFORD skipper Jay DeMerit is back in the first-team after a tough time on the sidelines following his eye injury and subsequent surgery.

The American is understandably delighted to be back playing the game he loves, and he is looking to end the year on a high after a tough few months for the defender.

He said: "It's been a long couple of months but to finally get back out there and play a complete game means a lot of my goals have been reached. 

"Now it's just a matter of kicking on and trying to help out the team as much as possible."

That continues with Saturday's trip to Peterborough United, who face the Hornets under the stewardship of new boss Mark Cooper.

The all-action centre half has been reunited with Adrian Mariappa at the heart of Watford's defence and DeMerit has paid tribute to the contribution of the Academy graduate.

He added: "Aidy and I have been friends for years and he's also a great testament to this club and what it can produce.

"He was great and obviously playing next to him now, we will continue to see that partnership grow and hopefully we can kick on for the rest of the season."

Since the draw for next year's World Cup, the American defender has been making headlines with his thoughts on the draw for his home nation.

The group encounter with England looks to be a fascinating affair and for obvious reasons the captain would love to play his part.

However, DeMerit's ensuring he gets plenty of games under his belt first of all, before he even begins to turn his attentions to the World Cup.

"It's nice to get England in the draw and qualify for the World Cup in itself but its one step at a time" commented the skipper.

"It's still six months or so away and a lot can happen in that time." 

"At the moment it's a one-day-at-a-time attitude for me and of course it would be fantastic to get there but ultimately, I'm not going to have the success I want unless I play for my club, so that's the number one goal at the moment."