Ahead of Head Coach Xisco Muñoz’s pre-weekend press conferences, the Hornets will be separately publishing a general injury briefing for supporters.
It may, of course, be in the team’s best interests not to mention a key absence or a particular length of time for which a player is expected to be out, so please accept this injury news in good faith and understand that not every last detail may be explained.
The effects of COVID-19 are being felt across all clubs, not just here at Watford. A shortened pre-season, reduced rest between fixtures and other protocols relating to treatment and rehab of players is all playing a part in a more extensive absentee list for not just the Hornets but around the Championship and football in general.
Two players have returned to full training this week after working back from hamstring injuries: defender Craig Cathcart and forward João Pedro.
Three further players who’ve also suffered hamstring complaints are at different stages of their rehab. Domingos Quina has just started to run outside this week, while strikers Isaac Success and Stipe Perica are both a few weeks away from returning to full training.
Christian Kabasele has missed the last two games with a knee problem, and this continues to be monitored with an imminent return not expected for the centre-half.
The club is pleased to report no positives from yesterday’s latest round of COVID-19 testing, a programme due to be stepped up in frequency as per yesterday’s announcement from the EFL.
