Abdi returns to tame Tigers
Almen Abdi returns to contention for Watford's home clash against fellow promotion hopefuls Hull.
Midfielder Abdi has been missing of late with a shoulder injury but stepped off the bench in a friendly victory over Gillingham on Tuesday night and is now expected to be available for selection.
Defender Lloyd Doyley has been sidelined with a calf injury for the last three matches and also stands an outside chance of being in the matchday 18.
Manager Gianfranco Zola does not boast any new injury or suspension problems as his sixth-placed side entertain fifth-placed Hull knowing three points would see them leapfrog their opponents in the table.
However, midfielders Ikechi Anya (hamstring) and John Eustace (back), defender Nyron Nosworthy as well as back-up goalkeeper Jonathan Bond (groin) are not quite ready to return.
Hull manager Steve Bruce will make a late decision on whether to include Sone Aluko in his squad for the game.
The winger is still struggling with the knee problem that kept him out of last week's win at Nottingham Forest. He returned to training this week, but is now hoping he does not suffer a reaction and could undergo a late fitness test.
Bruce has no new injury or suspension problems, but long-term casualties Jack Hobbs and Tom Cairney (both knee) are not expected to be included.
Defender Hobbs has not featured for the Tigers this season, while midfielder Cairney has been sidelined since August and although they are both close to returning they missed game time when a reserve-team fixture was called off this week.
Striker Matty Fryatt (Achilles) and defender Joe Dudgeon (knee) remain long-term absentees, but defenders Abdoulaye Faye and Liam Rosenior and German striker Nick Proschwitz are all pushing for recalls as the Tigers look to secure back-to-back away wins.
Source: PA
Source: PA