WATFORD plan to start the new season with some new faces on board. Graham Taylor gave that assurance this week after the Hornets won their first practice game.

The Watford boss is not planning on making a dash up the M5 and does not envisage any signing this week but intimated there might be an outgoing move this week.

He is probably referring to Mark Williams who has been the subject of a bid by Portsmouth, but another interested club is believed to have moved into the negotiations.

'There are things happening behind the scenes. Just because I am down here, does not mean negotiations are not taking place,' said Taylor.

'Something may happen regards departure, very soon, but I am also hoping to announce signings before the start of the season.'

Watford used all but three players in their work-out against Newquay. Three players who did not appear Wooter, Bonnot and Panayi.

'James Panayi is not allowed any contact yet, after recovering from his shoulder operation. He is doing all the training and running,' Taylor explained.

'Alex Bonnot has a slight soreness on the side of the knee and Nordin Wooter has reported both ankles sore. He played in the 40-minute game against HMS Raleigh but we do not need to push players to play at this stage, so we gave them both a rest.'

Watford will give all their fit players an outing against Tor Point on Saturday.

'We are not saying this is the side and we'll make substitutions as and when. We are just making sure everyone gets a game,' he said.

MEANWHILE, back at base, Luther Blissett reports that the club's new training headquarters at London Colney have provided a lift for pre-season training.

'The facilities are excellent and the surface is like a bowling green. They can't do enough for you. Every we they want, they sort it out very quickly.

We reports at 9.45 and about 3.00 we sit together and have food. The players are taking on the business of refuelling very seriously,' he said.

'The main squad of players have gone on their little jolly-up, which sounds very tough from the reports I am receiving. Fitness-wise and for camaraderie the experience will be very good.

'There are situations they will have to fight through and help each other which will do them good. But for the players left behind, the new training facilities has provided quite a lift and they have reacted well to the situation.'

Johann Gudmundsson will be out 'for a few weeks' having turned his ankle while running on his own, and has damaged ligaments.

Nick Wright has been training this week, doing one session a day. 'His running has improved greatly in that time. He is a bit stiff, having not taken part in any football for six or seven months. Groin, hamstrings etc need to ease back,' said Blissett. 'He feels very good about his knee and he has not looked out of place in any of the training.'

Young striker David Warner, signed from Brook House midway through last season, picked up a groin strain earlier in the week but should be back in training soon. 'He started looking very sharp and bright in training,' said the reserve team manager.

Allan Smart is still having problems with his knee and Richard Johnson is progressing quite well since he came out of plaster. He is walking and moving well but that is only the start of a long haul.

Blissett reports good progress for Gifton Noel-Williams. 'He has taken part in training sessions this week and played in a bit of a practice match among ourselves this morning,' he said on Wednesday. 'He was excellent, the pick of the bunch. He was enthusiastic, holding the ball off, lots of talking and showing an appetite for work which was great.'

Micah Hyde, is 'coming on fine after his knee was washed out,' Blissett reports. 'He has come and joined in and when the work has intensified, he is not one to shirk. He had some stiffening of the muscles but that has eased off.'

Charlie Miller has had a foot problem. 'He stopped for a while but he has been working for one session per day on the upper body and agility-work. He puts the work in, you can't fault him,.' Blissett said.

'It is body shape at the moment but we have to work that out for him. We know he has got ability and we have to try and get him back to play so we need to work on his weight and shape.

'But he has come in and done his work.'

Steve Brooker is still recovering from whiplash. He is doing some training and running after his car crash.

Blissett will be undertaking work on the back four: forwards v defence, putting together some organisation.

The Reserves have arranged a game at Fakenham Town tomorrow (Saturday) and will be taking a squad of under-21 players there.

'We have half a dozen trialists as well and we will be giving everyone some part of the game. I have arranged the game for the fitness programme and to get back to 11-a-side.'

The match kicks off at 3.00.