Head Coach Rob Edwards prepares his squad for the trip north to face Rotherham United in the Sky Bet Championship accepting he’ll have to make a late call over the readiness of some of his players.
“There’s a few knocks around from Tuesday night; the usual bumps and bruises but perhaps affecting more players than we’d like,” he explained.
“Ken [Sema] is among those,” confirmed Edwards of the Swede who left the field nursing a groin strain during the last-gasp win over Middlesbrough.
“He’s not the only one fighting to be fit for Saturday but I’m not going to name names any further.”
One player who will be in contention is Craig Cathcart, after being patched up having sustained a gash over his eyebrow following a collision with a Boro forward’s outstretched arm.
Added the Watford boss: “Keinan Davis will be in contention, which is very positive news for us.”
And that could also be true of Jeremy Ngakia. Sidelined with a back complaint, he’s working hard to be fit and available as soon as possible.
Although training outside and occasionally with the squad, patience is the watch-word when it comes to Imrân Louza’s return. “He’s doing well but we’re not prepared to push that progress too hard,” said Edwards, as the Moroccan midfielder continues to progress well with his rehab plan after summer knee surgery.
The weekend comes to soon for club captain Tom Cleverley although it’s hoped he’ll join in training during next week.
Samuel Kalu is also nearing a return to full training, having done only light work outside so far after his hamstring strain.
The longer-term absentees include midfielder Tom Dele-Bashiru, who’s working hard to come back from knee ligament damage, but the news isn’t so bright for striker Rey Manaj.
Explained Edwards: “Rey’s going to be missing for a while, I’m afraid. We had his hamstring scanned and we’re going to scan again to further assess before we decide the next steps for him - but it’s a medium-term absence at least.”
