Watford trio doubtful for Southampton visit

Sean Dyche could be robbed of the services of three of his most reliable performers in recent weeks for tomorrow’s clash with Southampton.

Northern Ireland international Lee Hodson has joined Sean Murray and Troy Deeney in being rated as ‘doubtful’ for the Saints game.

Murray and Deeney both missed the mauling at Crystal Palace but could still return for tomorrow’s game.

Dyche is eager not to rush academy scholar Murray whilst Deeney will undergo a late fitness test.

Hodson, who has made the right-back slot his own since Lloyd Doyley was injured towards the tail end of last year is sick and could be replaced by Carl Dickinson with Doyley reverting to right full-back.

Watford are still without long-term absentees Martin Taylor and Stephen McGinn though Taylor is nearing a return.

Speaking to The Watford Observer, Dyche revealed the news that Taylor’s broken toe was now healed:

“We think it is a fitness and contact issue and you are hoping over the coming weeks that he starts getting on with it quickly and presuming all goes to plan, it will be a reasonably quick process.

“But it will not be an overnight process because he had just had 20 minutes of a reserve game.’