Swansea City vs Watford - Francesco Guidolin set for Swansea

Francesco Guidolin is set to get his first glimpse of Swansea's Barclays Premier League survival prospects when he watches them play Watford.

Press Association Sport understands the 60-year-old Italian will be named as the club's new head coach working alongside Alan Curtis, who was only confirmed in the role 10 days ago.

Guidolin - who will sign an initial short-term contract - will watch from the stands before taking charge for the first time in next Sunday's top-flight trip to Everton.

Although the deal is yet to be officially confirmed, club chiefs decided to act after just one win in six games under Curtis saw the club slide back into the relegation zone on Saturday.

Swansea will become the 14th different club in Guidolin's managerial career, which peaked during a recent spell at Udinese, whom he twice led into the Champions League.

He started out in charge of minor club Giorgione, and has also had spells at Atalanta, Bologna, Genoa and Palermo.

Guidolin's only experience of managing outside Italy came in 2005, when he had a short spell in charge of Monaco.

Since leaving Udinese last year, Guidolin worked as a technical adviser to the Pozzo family, which has a controlling stake in Udinese, Granada and Watford.

Earlier, Curtis had appeared to intimate that his short spell in sole charge of the club could be drawing to a close.

Curtis said: "I'd expect to be here until the end of the season, but if results go against us and the club deem it that they need to bring someone in at short notice, then so be it."

Swansea won their appeal against the red card Kyle Naughton received at home to Sunderland on Wednesday, meaning he is now be available for the visit of the Hornets.

Meanwhile, head coach Quique Sanchez Flores believes there are plenty of positives to take from Watford's season so far, despite the midweek defeat at Southampton making it four Barclays Premier League games without a win.

The Hornets' dip in form came during a tricky run of games against Chelsea, Tottenham and Manchester City before the 2-0 loss at St Mary's, and Flores is confident they will get back on track at struggling Swansea.

"Except for the Southampton match, we are playing very well against amazing teams," Flores told Hornets PlayerHD. "We have played to a high level for a long time in this category so it is normal that just one time.

"So we are waiting for this match (on Monday). We are in the top half of the table before Saturday's games and we are very positive along with the players.

"It is our power that we are consistent; we have our rules when we play. We work together - as a block, as a unit.

"Of course we have had some sweet moments earlier in December but I never saw anyone start to think about not working hard or doing his job.

"There were some great matches at Christmas time and we have had a busy programme, just like all the other clubs."

Flores is determined not to let heads drop and had nothing but praise for his players ahead of the Swans clash.

He added: "I'm enjoying the experience - this journey. It's important to keep the morale high within everyone.

"It's very important to keep positive. There is no reason for us to be thinking any other way. The players have performed amazing.

"We are very positive about our next performance."

Watford will have defender Nathan Ake available again following suspension for the trip. The on-loan Chelsea full-back has completed a three-match ban following his red card against Tottenham on December 28.

Flores could freshen up his side, with defender Craig Cathcart, midfielder Ikechi Anya and Colombia forward Victor Ibarbo all coming off the bench in midweek.

Defenders Tommie Hoban (groin) and Joel Ekstrand (knee) remain unavailable.