Eustace back in contention

Club captain John Eustace has handed boss Sean Dyche a boost ahead of Saturday’s clash with Portsmouth as he returns from injury.

The skipper has missed the last three league clashes as the Hornets picked up six points from a possible nine.

Whilst Eustace has been out with back injury, former Aston Villa man Jonathan Hogg has excelled in the holding midfield role.

Speaking to The Watford Observer though, Hogg has hailed the return of Eustace as a good thing though:

‘That is what good teams need.

“They need competition for places and the more competition, the better it will be for the team, so the best players are going to play on that day.’

Eustace’s return to first-team action will give Dyche a big decision as to whether he will throw his captain straight back in and break up the improving Hogg and impressive Prince Buaben or not.

Watford won two games on the bounce with the 31 year-old Eustace, allowing Ghanaian international Buaben his break which he grabbed with both hands.

As important a player as Eustace is, I would err on the side of continuing with a winning XI. If anyone has to lose their place to incorporate Eustace it would be Hogg unfortunately. Although the 22 year-old has impressed playing in a deeper role, the two do not look as effective together as Buaben and a defensive-minded player do.

Nice selection problems to have for Dyche.