CEDRIC AVINEL, the 20-year-old French defender, could be in line to make his Watford debut at Reading tomorrow (Saturday).

With Clarke Carlisle suspended after his yellow card against Sheffield United was upgraded to a red by the FA's Disciplinary Commission and Jay DeMerit not considered for the rest of the season, manager Aidy Boothroyd may opt to hand the former Creteil defender his first start against the Royals. Creteil was an unused substitute at Bramall Lane on Saturday.

Boothroyd also has the option of moving Lloyd Doyley inside to partner Dan Shittu and recalling Adrian Mariappa at right-back.

Meanwhile, Jordan Stewart underwent a fitness test yesterday Thursday after suffering a relapse in his recovery from a back injury over the weekend. Tommy Smith is still feeling his way back from a hamstring injury, Gavin Mahon is 50-50 while Douglas Rinaldi is likely to be back in the squad.

"Cedric does come into contention and I won't be worried about throwing a young lad in because he's done great," said Boothroyd. "He's done terrific since he has been here. I've been looking for the right time to put him in.

"I've got him, Adrian Mariappa, Lloyd and Dan Shittu. I've got some ideas about what I'm going to do there but I need to see it on the training ground first."

Asked about the FA's decision to ban Carlisle, Boothroyd replied: "I came racing down from the stands at the time because I thought he was going off and I was appreciative that he the ref got it wrong at the time. But we've been punished for it later on but we've just got to get on with it, really.

"If you know there is case of mistaken identity then you must tell the FA. If you don't then you get fined."

DeMerit is set to spend the vast majority of the summer at a training camp with America and Boothroyd is keen to wrap him in cotton wool to ensure he is fresh for next season.

"He's shot as far as I am concerned - he's got a Judith Chalmers-type flying schedule," said the manager. "He'll be training for six weeks solid so he needs to have a rest now. With the long-term in mind, he needs to get some rest."