There will be a late decision on the fitness of forward Kwadwo Baah ahead of Watford’s home game with Coventry City on Saturday (3pm).
The 21-year-old has come off the bench in three of the first four Championship games, and scored his first Watford goal in the Carabao Cup win over MK Dons.
“Baah will be a doubt for the game, it’s a genuine 50/50 situation. It’s a small muscular soreness or tightness,” explained Tom Cleverley.
“It’s not muscular damage but given his physical profile and his history, we have to be wary of them.
“Louza is very close, and Ngakia remains out for the medium term. Keben came with the knee issue and he’s in the sort of medium-term bracket as well.
“Ogbonna is getting close and has looked very good in training. You can tell he’s a player that has played at a high level.
“This weekend might come a bit soon for him, but next week against Norwich he’ll certainly be available.
“It’s nothing to do with his age, it’s just always difficult when you’re a player that hasn’t done the pre-season the other players have. You’re playing catch up.
“This has been his best week’s training, he’s been in every session and I expect him to be available for Norwich.”
Those members of the squad who have been away playing for their countries have so far returned without any issues.
“We’re pleased that all our international players have returned well and in good health,” said Cleverley.
“The only one who hasn’t returned yet is Doumbia but he’ll be back with us tomorrow. I was pleased to see him get a start for his nation’s senior team.
“My first international break last season, before the game with Leeds, was a time for me to have 10 days with the players which was really important.
“This time the most important thing was that first of all they got a few days’ rest.
“It’s been a long pre-season and then a long block of work to get to this point, and while by no means did we press the switch-off button, the players needed a bit of a reset.
“So that was done, and then we had some good time with the new players especially over the last few days.”
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