Watford’s Leigh Bromby admitted injuries to his centre back partners is doing the club’s promotion hopes no favours.

Bromby has started all but one of the Hornets’ games this season but in the last six games, he has been joined by five different partners in the middle of Watford’s leaking defence.

Aidy Boothroyd was again without captain Jay DeMerit for Saturday’s 3-2 defeat at home to Wolves, as he has yet to recover from his hamstring problem.

And Darren Ward was unable to play against his employers due to the loan agreement between the two clubs.

Since the 2-1 defeat at Sheffield United on September 27, Bromby has also been partnered by loanee Sam Sodje and on Saturday started with Lloyd Doyley, who was quickly replaced in the middle by Adrian Mariappa.

The 28-year-old defender said: “There has been a change again today (Saturday) at centre back, we have had a few injuries in important positions and that hasn’t helped us but there are no excuses because the players coming in are good enough but it does put you on the back foot.

“Continuity brings results and we have been a little misfortunate with injuries but hopefully they can get fit and we can make a charge up this league.

“It is just unlucky. The injuries I have had have been minor ones and hopefully we can get everyone back fit and that is what we need really. We need a strong squad and competition for places.”

Ward is expected to return for tomorrow’s game away at Preston North End, who Watford beat 2-1 at Vicarage Road three weeks ago when Ward and Bromby were at the back together.

And Bromby is hoping the match can kick-start a run into the festive period.

He said: “It will be a tough game. We got a good win against them at home but there are no easy games in this league.

“Hopefully we can take the positive stuff from today (Saturday) and go up there with a little bit of confidence.

“The manager says every week that we have got to win the physical battle and I think you saw today (Saturday), the work rate from the lads and everyone is honest at this club. We will go up there and give it 100 per cent.

“I think coming into the game (against Wolves) we had won a few and got a draw so hopefully we can do that again and go up the table and get a winning run going up until Christmas.”