THE Watford manager was concerned Richard Lee decided against wearing a protective face mask when he made his earlier than expected return to competitive action in Watford Reserves' 2-0 defeat at home to Charlton on Wednesday, February 2.

Although the fractured cheekbone the keeper sustained in an accidental collision with James Chambers' knee at Coventry in mid-December has healed, Lee did not wear the mask he has been using in training.

"I'm not too happy about it but that's what he wants to do," said Ray Lewington yesterday (Thursday, February 4).

"The x-rays show that the healing's done. I'm not going to force him to wear it, he's got to be comfortable, but for me, it's just on six weeks and you sometimes wonder.

"But he's comfortable doing it and at the end of the day it's his head," the manager added with a chuckle.

Previously the manager had said: "He has made very good progress but there is no need to rush the lad.

"He has got a mask which looks very similar to cycling goggles. They are very thick-rimmed and protect the damaged area. But he is still right at the beginning of where he should be so we still want to give it a few weeks."