Watford have been handed an injury boost ahead of their trip to Rotherham United on Tuesday, with Christian Kabasele returning to first team training today.

The defender has also been included in Belgium's initial 30-man squad list for their upcoming World Cup Qualifiers, the first time he has been called up since 2018.

The Watford Observer understands that Roberto Martinez has remained an admirer of Kabasele's after giving him his senior international debut in November 2016 and has continued to monitor his progress.

Despite relegation and injury, the Belgium manager has seen enough to consider using the centre back in games against Wales, the Czech Republic and Belarus the week after next.

The call up comes at the perfect time for Kabasele, who today trained with the first team for the first time since December, with a bruised knee bone keeping him sidelined since the 2-0 defeat away at Huddersfield Town.

Watford Observer:

Whether or not he will feature in Martinez's final 23-man squad could depend on him getting game time in the two matches next week against Rotherham and Birmingham City.

The Hornets have kept eight clean sheets in 18 games with Kabasele this season, although his recent injury has meant that head coach Xisco Munoz has not yet had chance to utilise him. 

Prior to his departure, former head coach Vladimir Ivic used Kabasele in all but three league games.