Vata and Louza doubts for tomorrow's trip to QPR
Both Rocco Vata and Imran Louza are doubts for tomorrow’s game at Queens Park Rangers.
The pair went off early in Sunday’s 2-1 defeat against Cardiff and, while not ruling either out, Tom Cleverley admitted he has concerns over them.
“Vata is a doubt. He’s having a fitness test today, but he will be a doubt,” said the head coach.
“It’s his calf but we don’t know yet exactly what it is.
“Louza is another one we will assess over the next 24 hours, but he’s a doubt for the game.”
The Moroccan has been the midfield mainstay since coming back into the team, and his absence would be a significant loss.
“We do have some strength in that area of the pitch,” said Cleverley.
“With Kayembe, Dwomoh and Moussa, and we have a really intelligent Tom Ince who can cover a lot of positions in the middle of the pitch.
“We still have good numbers in there.”
Kwadwo Baah comes back into the squad after missing Sunday’s game through suspension, while there were better updates on a couple of players who have been sidelined for a while.
“We have good, positive news on Tom Dele-Bashiru, who is responding well to training on the pitch. He is due to return to training with the group at the back end of this week,” said Cleverley.
“Four days after that, we should have Kevin Keben doing the same as Tom.
“Kevin is just those few days behind Tom in his programme but we should have both training with us next week.”
The Watford boss explained that Ryan Porteous has been under the weather, but should be available tomorrow.
“Ryan was ill in the build-up to the game with Cardiff, and he’s recovering well from that and showing positive signs,” he said.
“He wasn’t seriously ill in the preparation for the game but 45 minutes of football does take it out of you.
“He had a little dip after the game but is over that and should be available.”
Rangers secured a 0-0 draw at Vicarage Road at the end of November, and are on a run of only one defeat in nine.
Under Martin Cifuentes they are far more of a footballing side than some of Watford’s recent opponents.
“They are a team that likes to play football,” said Cleverley.
“They’re really organised, and if you’ve watched them over the last six weeks you’d say they are in a false position.”
