Ahead of Watford’s return to competitive action on Sunday in the Sky Bet Championship against Hull City (December 11, 3pm KO), Head Coach Slaven Bilić provided an update on his squad going into the Christmas period.
Following three weeks of training at both their camp in Spain and the London Colney training ground, Bilić has players back and available for selection at the weekend.
Jeremy Ngakia has made just one appearance so far this term due to two injuries, last featuring in September’s defeat to Blackburn Rovers, but has been in full training for several weeks and played in friendlies against Blackpool and Arsenal during the break. The right-back, alongside Tom Dele-Bashiru and Craig Cathcart, is fit and ready for the Tigers clash.
Bilić shared positive news on injured duo Tom Cleverley and Imrân Louza, who sustained long-term achilles and ankle injuries respectively earlier this season. Both midfielders travelled with the squad to Spain and are making progress in their recovery.
“It was important for them to feel close and part of the squad [in Spain],” explained the Head Coach. “They are improving, they are not in plaster or the boots and are active and working in the gym, some are already on the pitch.
“Cleverley and Louza should be back in full training in January, early February hopefully, if things go to plan. We will have a massive boost, they are a couple of big players, very important on and off the pitch.”
Defender Kortney Hause isn’t fully recovered from a knee injury suffered before the World Cup break, but Bilić informed the media that the centre-back is nearing a return.
“Kortney Hause is improving, still not exactly good but is improving so he may be back also,” said Bilić.
Striker Rey Manaj suffered a hamstring injury at the end of August and returned to full training in Spain in November. The Albania international has a chance of being involved on Sunday, but the game may come too soon.
Picking up an ankle injury against Wigan Athletic in October and playing through pain leading up to the break in fixtures, Samuel Kalu has been recovering over the last month. The Nigerian forward needs more time before a return to action.
Longer-term absentee Dan Gosling is in his third week of recovery post-operation following a serious achilles injury against Bristol City in November. The midfielder is following the relevant rehabilitation protocol.
