Javi Gracia was keen to focus on the players he will have available, rather than be without, after Jose Holebas received his 10th yellow card of the season in Saturday’s victory over Everton.

The left-back was cautioned by referee Lee Probert after pushing Theo Walcott in the back in the second half and will now serve a two-match suspension, ruling him out of the Premier League trips to Cardiff City and Liverpool.

Asked about Holebas’ enforced absence, the Hornets head coach responded: “I prefer not to complain about the players I don’t have. In this case we have other players like Adam Masina at left-back, other options if we want to do something different. I know all my players are ready.

“It’s important for us but today Kiko Femenia, Robert Pereyra, Sebastian Prodl, Isaac Success, all of them today are injured, but the team keep going.”

Gracia had been positive about Femenia’s prospects of being available to face the Toffees when he spoke to the media on Thursday, but the Spaniard was not included in the match-day 18 following a hamstring problem.

The head coach explained: “If you asked me yesterday (Friday) before training I thought Kiko was ready, but after we decided it was better to wait.

“Roberto is improving but I am not sure if he will be ready for the next game or we need to wait another game.”