Loan duo Alex Geijo and Cristian Battocchio won’t be fit enough to face Huddersfield this Saturday, Gianfranco Zola has revealed.
There was however better news regarding skipper John Eustce, who is expected to return to full training next week.
Swiss-born Spaniard Geijo has something of the Sietes about him, a mystical figure who’s existence is as yet, unproven.
The former Granada loanee arrived at Vicarage Road seven weeks ago but was unfit on arrival following injury problems last season.
Zola had targeted a return for the Udinese hitman after the international break but that deadline has now been and gone and Geijo remains unavailable after picking up a groin problem.
Argentine-born Italian U20 international Battocchio has not been seen since the 5-1 mauling at Derby at the beginning of September.
The former Newell’s Old Boy’s playmaker was away on international duty earlier in the month and has since returned with a groin injury too.
Speaking to The Watford Observer, Zola said that the pair are not far off fitness:
‘Battocchio came back from the national team with a problem with his groin and we`re just taking it easy as we don`t want it to get any worse. Yesterday [Monday] and today [Tuesday] he`s been training with Geijo and he should be available shortly,’ revealed Zola.
On the other hand, skipper Eustace looks set to return to training next week following a back operation, Zola saying that the 31 year-old is no longer in pain.
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