After weeks of speculation, which included the player being absent from pre-season friendlies with injury, captain Wes Hoedt returned to action last night – and then had to limp off before the end of the first half.

The Dutch international suffered a hyperextension of the knee in the lead-up to the Wycombe equaliser shortly before the break.

It was immediately clear the defender was in pain as he stayed down and waved his arms frantically – as it wasn’t an obvious head injury the referee played on as did Wycombe, who capitalised on the Hornets’ pausing to score an almost unchallenged leveller.

Hoedt was then treated on the pitch before limping slowly off to be replaced by James Clarridge.

Head coach Tom Cleverley explained that, as a result, the race would now be on to have Hoedt fit for the opening game of the season at Millwall on August 10.

“The circumstances he left the field in tonight are a little bit worrying, but we’ll do our best to make sure he’s right for the first game,” said the Watford boss.

“He suffered a hyperextension of the knee to use the technical term.

“It doesn’t look too swollen in the dressing room, and let’s hope that’s a good sign.”

Amid all the rumours of an apparently imminent move to Turkey, just seeing Hoedt back on the pitch was a big boost for the many Watford fans sweltering behind the goal in direct sunlight at Adams Park last night.

However, Cleverley was honest enough to admit that being able to put his skipper back in a yellow shirt would be unlikely to end the stories swirling around.

“Wes is our captain and he’s a Watford player, and I’m hoping that’s how it stays,” he said.

“Like any other player in a transfer window though, there’ll be a price on his head.

“He’s an experienced player and he’s one of those who can focus on the job in hand.

“Wes has got tunnel vision and those sort of transfer rumours won’t affect him or me.”