Watford vs Huddersfield preview - Ekstrand boost for Watford

Posted Friday, August 29, 2014 by PA

Joel Ekstrand returns to the Watford squad for the visit of Huddersfield.

The Swedish defender has completed a three-match ban after he was sent off against Norwich a fortnight ago.

Fellow centre-half Craig Cathcart is back in training after a knee injury but is unlikely to feature just yet.

Boss Beppe Sannino rested a host of first-teamers as Watford bowed out of the Capital One Cup against Doncaster in midweek with Heurelho Gomes, Gabriele Angella, Almen Abdi and skipper Troy Deeney - fresh from signing a new four-year contract - among those set to return.

Huddersfield caretaker boss Mark Lillis could be short of a specialist right-back as both skipper Lee Peltier and Tommy Smith are struggling with groin injuries.

Peltier missed the midweek cup defeat to Nottingham Forest and although Smith completed 90 minutes both players remain doubtful.

But striker Nahki Wells is expected to return to contention. He missed out in midweek due to an ankle knock and midfielder Jonathan Hogg is hoping to resume after sitting out the last two games with a calf strain.

On-loan midfielder Radoslaw Majewski is also available again as he was refused permission to play against parent club Forest on Tuesday night, but defender Anthony Gerrard (calf) is still out.