Almen Abdi will miss Saturday’s trip to Middlesbrough with a shoulder injury but Keith Andrews and Craig Cathcart are available for selection after recovering from calf problems.

Midfielder Abdi injured his shoulder in the midweek draw with Nottingham Forest. While he’s been ruled out of tomorrow’s game, although the extent of his injury is not yet known.

Andrews hasn’t featured for the Hornets since August 30 but could return to the squad while Cathcart has been absent since the 2-1 win over Brentford at the end of last month.

Sebastien Bassong, who picked up a slight calf problem against Forest, will be assessed prior to tomorrow’s game.

Lewis McGugan is fit and available after missing the midweek draw but Gabriele Angella (ankle) and Gabriel Tamas (knee) are ruled out.

Hornets captain Troy Deeney returned from his hamstring injury last weekend. He played the final nine minutes against Sheffield Wednesday and featured for 25 minutes at home to Forest.

Watford head coach Slavisa Jokanovic didn’t rule out the 26-year-old starting against Boro, who are third in the Championship table.

He said: “Troy is very important for us and will soon be 100 per cent ready. We will decide what we will do with Troy for the next game, whether he starts or is on the bench.”

Jokanovic hinted after Tuesday’s 2-2 draw that he may rotate his side against Middlesbrough.

However, speaking this afternoon the former Chelsea midfielder said: “I don’t want to make changes just to rotate - I want to find sense in what I am doing.

“When we make changes, it will be the right decision. Whether that is because we want a certain player on the pitch or because a player is a little bit tired.

“I think my team are very fresh and I will choose the best options without thinking about resting players.”

Saturday's game is not the first time Jokanovic has come up against Boro boss Aitor Karanka. The duo faced off when the Serbian played for Spanish club Tenerife and Karanka was at Real Madrid.

“I know him and he is a good coach,” the Hornets boss said. “He has had a good schooling with Jose Mourinho at Real Madrid. I wish him all the best, but after our game.”