Watford v Cardiff. Early team news

Last updated : 02 October 2009 By Ian Evans

The Hornets were forced to close their training ground on Wednesday with Craig Cathcart, Ross Jenkins, Henri Lansbury, Don Cowie and Ross Jenkins all laid low.

Cathcart and Jenkins missed Tuesday night's 3-2 defeat by Coventry, Lansbury was only well enough to make the bench and Hoskins and Cowie had to leave the action in the second half.

But all five have returned to training and will be in contention at the weekend.

Lee Hodson, who suffered a leg injury against the Sky Blues, should also be fit and Nathan Ellington is back from suspension so Heidar Helguson (calf) and Jay DeMerit (eye) are the only definite absentees.

Dave Jones must decide whether to recall Joe Ledley or keep faith with Stephen McPhail for Cardiff's trip.

Ledley was suspended for Tuesday's 6-1 thumping of Derby due to a one-match suspension incurred as a result of last weekend's sending off at Sheffield Wednesday.

It has been no secret the Wales midfielder has been struggling to find his best form so far this season and his absence provided the returning McPhail with an opportunity to stake his claim in the middle of the park.

McPhail duly obliged, pulling the strings throughout while claiming a handful of assists to leave Jones with a welcome headache ahead of the trip to Vicarage Road.

Forward Ross McCormack (hamstring) and full-back Kevin McNaughton (ankle) are both hoping to return to full training in the next week or so with a view to being available for first-team action at the close of the forthcoming international break.

Kelvin Etuhu remains sidelined for the long-term as he recovers from ankle ligament damage.

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