Almunia eyes Hornets return
Manuel Almunia hopes to be available for Watford's crunch promotion clash at home to leaders Cardiff.
The former Arsenal goalkeeper has missed the last six games with a hamstring injury but is likely to be fit for selection against the Bluebirds, although replacement Jonathan Bond has performed well in his absence.
Bond kept a clean sheet in Tuesday's 1-0 victory at second-place Hull, a result which saw the Hornets close to within one point of the automatic promotion places.
Defenders Fitz Hall (hamstring) and Matthew Briggs (knock) were both forced off at the KC Stadium and are doubtful, as is midfielder Jonathan Hogg who missed out altogether with a calf problem.
Nyron Nosworthy (Achilles), Neuton (dislocated shoulder), Tommie Hoban (ankle) and John Eustace (back) all remain sidelined.
Cardiff striker Fraizer Campbell is an injury worry for the Championship leaders.
The former Sunderland striker has scored six times in 11 appearances since his January move, the most recent in the 3-0 win over Blackburn on Monday.
But the England international was forced to come off in that impressive victory and will be assessed ahead of the meeting with the promotion-chasing Hornets.
Former Plymouth striker Joe Mason scored following his introduction against Rovers and he is the likely replacement if Campbell is unavailable.
The midfield four of Jordon Mutch, Aron Gunnarsson, Craig Conway and Kim Bo-Kyung are likely to line up again after impressing in the comfortable victory.
Cardiff make the trip with an eight-point cushion over Gianfranco Zola's men and seven ahead of second-place Hull.
Source: PA
Source: PA