Goalkeeper Dan Bachmann passed a fitness test this morning and is available for tomorrow’s trip to Leeds United.

The Austrian international struggled during Saturday’s 3-0 defeat at Luton with a thigh issue, but head coach Tom Cleverley confirmed Bachmann is fit for selection.

After the game at Kenilworth Road, Cleverley admitted the keeper had gone into the game carrying knock – so, in hindsight, was it a gamble worth taking?

“At the time I didn’t feel like I was taking a big gamble, and I think he was protecting himself a little bit with the throwing out,” said the Hornets boss.

“Looking back on the game he put us at a bit of risk with how many times he threw the ball.

“When you digest the three goals then Dan’s thigh hasn’t been the reason we conceded them, but it was maybe a reason why the momentum of the game was the way it was.

“After Friday’s training session we had no hint of risk that he was playing.

“That quickly materialised in the game though, and he wasn’t quite right.

“He feels much better now, and he’s passed his fitness test and is available for tomorrow’s game.”

Bachmann’s return meant that Jonathan Bond dropped to the bench. Did selecting someone ahead of him with an injury concern send a negative message?

“I’ve played with niggles my whole career, and I don’t think whoever wasn’t in the team thought ‘well there’s a player playing with a niggle’,” said Cleverley.

“It happens all the time in football.

“I think it’s one area where you have to be completely clear with the players, and the complete clarity I gave the players was is if Dan Bachmann is 100% fit – and before the game we thought he was, or certainly in the high 90s – then he currently plays.

“What Jonathan Bond did do in the games he played was to tell us that we can rely on him and he’s not done himself any harm.

“But right now, if Dan’s fit then he plays – and I think it’s important for me as a head coach to have clarity in that position.”

One player who definitely won’t be involved at Elland Road is defender Angelo Ogbonna, who limped off during stoppage time against Luton.

“The early signs for Angelo are not great and it looks like he’s had a recurrence of the hamstring issue he suffered at the end of the Middlesbrough game,” Cleverley explained.

“He’ll miss out tomorrow night. He had a scan this morning and I expect him to be out weeks rather than months.

“The timing of Francisco Sierralta returning has happened at a very good time.

“Jeremy Ngakia is getting very close and should be available for selection against Blackburn, as is the case with Kevin Keben and I’m excited about his return and how well he’s looking in training.”