Will Buckley will make his first start in nine matches against Leicester City as Watford manager Malky Mackay drops Troy Deeney from the starting XI.

Buckley has not started a game for Watford since the 3-2 defeat to Portsmouth on October 16 and has only made three substitute appearances since then.

Deeney on the other hand has been one of his side's better players in recent weeks so it is unclear whether the summer signing is still struggling with the virus which saw him replaced early in the second half last Saturday.

The former Walsall man is one of three strikers on the Watford bench as 18-year-old Gavin Massey has been promoted from the Reserves.

Massey, who made his only Watford appearance in the final game of last season at Coventry City, had been a target for Liverpool before signing his professional contract this year.

Mackay may well change his formation around today as the introduction of Buckley gives him options.

When Buckley arrived he stated his favoured role was as an out-and-out striker but he has been used more often as a wide man, so Mackay may opt for a 4-2-3-1 formation with Buckley, Jordon Mutch and Don Cowie playing behind Danny Graham.

Leicester manager Sven Goran Eriksson has named the same team which beat Nottingham Forest on Monday night.

The Vicarage Road pitch has no snow on the surface after the undersoil heating was used regularly this week but there is currently heavy rain.

Loach; Doyley, Mariappa, M Taylor, A Taylor, A Taylor; McGinn, Eustace; Buckley, Mutch, Cowie; Graham.

Subs: Gilmartin, Hodson, Bennett, Jenkins, Sordell, Deeney, Massey.

Leicester: Weale; Naughton, Davies, Hobbs, Cunningham; Abe, Wellens, King; Vassell, Bendnar, Gallagher.

Subs: Logan, Morrison, Vitor, Oakley, Howard, Dyer, Waghorn.