Watford have been dealt a blow ahead of their clash with table toppers Reading tomorrow, with the news that Hameur Bouazza has broken his fifth metatarsal.
The injury will keep the Frenchman out for the rest of the season, and the news is particularly distressing for the player who has forced his way into the first team in recent weeks following a three month loan at Coca-Cola League One club, Swindon Town earlier in the season.
A clearly disappointed Aidy Boothroyd confirming the news on the official site said,
"Hameur's going to be out for some time having broken that fifth metatarsal.
"He's had the bone pinned during an operation on Wednesday night and it's now a case of rest followed by rehabilitation.
"It's a shame for him because he's done very well out on loan. He's learned a lot about the game and himself, being a main player with more expectation on him.
"It's something I'm looking to do with a number of our other younger players because the experience of going out on loan and coping with different challenges is invaluable."
Bouazza, 21, had featured in nine consecutive matches for the Golden Boys and started the last three, netting once, in the 4-1 Bramall Lane thrashing of Sheffield United at the beginning of February.