Piero Mingoia will make his first Watford start this afternoon as he replaces the injured Ross Jenkins against Barnsley.

Mingoia started in the two FA Cup ties this season and has made three subsitute appearances in the league but today will be his first Championship start.

The midfielder's inclusion is the only change for Watford who will need to win to hold on to their slim chance of making the play-offs – the Hornets are eight points from sixth-place Nottingham Forest with a game in hand.

Barnsley have also made one change with Stephen Foster replacing the suspended Paul McShane at centre back.

The Tykes are four places behind Watford in 17th and have won just once in their last six games, and twice in 13.

Mark Robins’ men also have a disappointing away record, with no win in eight and one victory from their last 12 on the road.

Watford: Loach; Hodson, Mariappa, Taylor, Doyley; Eustace; Deeney, Mingoia, Cowie; Graham, Sordell.

Subs: Gilmartin, Bennett, Weimann, Massey, Thompson, Buckley, Drinkwater.

Barnsley: Steele; Trippier, Shackell, Foster, Hill; Haynes, Doyle, Mellis, Butterfield; Harewood, Gray.

Subs: Hassell, McEveley, O'Brien, Preece, Arismendi, Noble-Lazarus, Clark.