Watford V Blackburn at Vicarage Road Stadium - Match Preview




Cassetti ready to play again

Marco Cassetti returns from suspension for Watford's home clash against Blackburn.

The defender missed Tuesday's disappointing 1-0 defeat at Millwall due to a one-match ban following his red card in last weekend's 3-2 loss at Peterborough.

Otherwise, manager Gianfranco Zola boasts the same squad as the one turned over at The Den.

Fit-again midfielder John Eustace is still lacking match fitness after his long-term back injury, while defenders Fitz Hall (hamstring), Nyron Nosworthy (Achilles), Neuton (dislocated shoulder) and Tommie Hoban (ankle) all remain sidelined.

The third-placed Hornets could see their lingering hopes of an automatic promotion place all but mathematically extinguished should Hull, six points better off with three games remaining, beat already-relegated Bristol City at the KC Stadium on Friday night.

Blackburn caretaker manager Gary Bowyer could have David Bentley and Bradley Orr back at his disposal for the npower Championship trip to Watford.

On-loan Tottenham midfielder Bentley has been troubled in recent weeks by a knee problem sustained during the FA Cup quarter-final draw at Millwall, since when right-back Orr has not played due to a rib injury.

Both men have stepped up their recoveries over recent weeks, but the game comes too soon for Martin Olsson (ankle).

Grant Hanley and Colin Kazim-Richards complete two-match suspensions having collected 10 yellow cards and Gael Givet is set to continue at centre-back after impressing in place of the former during Tuesday night's 1-0 win over Huddersfield.

Goalkeepers Jake Kean (knee) and Paul Robinson (back/lung) head up a list of long-term absentees that includes Adam Henley (hamstring), Dickson Etuhu (knee) and DJ Campbell (foot).

Source: PA

Source: PA