Team News: Cleverley To Oversee Chakvetadze & Porteous

By: Watford FC Staff

Tom Cleverley revealed that his team are overseeing both Giorgi Chakvetadze and Ryan Porteous with this summer's European Championship in mind.

The Georgian forward played an integral part as his nation qualified for their first-ever major tournament, and has been nursing a groin issue in recent weeks.

He missed last Saturday's stalemate with Hull City, and will be absent for the final home game of the season against Sunderland.

Head Coach Cleverley told watfordfc.com: "Giorgi has got a persistent groin issue, with the Euros in the summer we have to be careful for him on a personal level.

"I always want to have that personal level with my players and I understand what he is going through at the minute with a bit of indecision about his fitness, so Giorgi will miss the weekend."

The Head Coach added that Saturday's game will be Porteous' last of the 2023/24 campaign, with the defender given some extra time to prepare ahead of Scotland's participation at the Euros.

Cleverley also provided an update on Tom Dele-Bashiru, who missed the game against the Tigers.

He said: "Tom has played a lot of games this season, and is a player who has struggled with injury, so we have yet to decide on the weekend.

"There will be a technical decision on that one."

Ken Sema made his return from injury in last weekend's goalless draw, and Cleverley had positive news about the Swede, saying he will be available from the start.

However, Jeremy Ngakia, who also made his comeback, suffered with a small muscle issue in training this week and will be unable to play a part in the final two games of the season.

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