Defender Craig Cathcart is likely to miss Watford's trip to Middlesbrough due to an injury he has been carrying since before the start of the season, Walter Mazzarri has revealed.

Miguel Britos and Valon Behrami, who have both been carrying knocks, are expected to be available to start, while the head coach said Isaac Success, who missed Nigeria duty with a dead leg, would be fit enough to play some part.

Behrami himself missed Switzerland's win in Andorra on Monday evening through suspension, while none of Watford's other international representatives have suffered any injuries during their time away.

Cathcart's long-term knock may cause the most intrigue after Mazzarri revealed he had been suffering with issues with his leg even before the head coach took office on July 1.

He said: "Valon Behrami we had some doubts about but don’t think he will miss out, but Cathcart will probably not make it. Miguel Britos will also probably recover in time.

"Even when we started pre-season, Cathcart had some issues and had problems which go from his leg right up to the abdominals, but we are following his progress."

Mazzarri met up with his full squad earlier today for the first time in over a week ahead of Sunday's tie, and admitted the three days' preparation ahead of a long trip to the North East was far from ideal.

But he praised the approach of his players to adapt to the situation - and they will have to learn quickly, against a side which has not suffered such a taxing international schedule.

"Today I spoke with the team, which was the first time I had them together since the national break.

"I told them they need to be concentrating and focused on the next game immediately.

"It’s not easy when you only have two or three days after the international break and I think I have a very responsible team and so I’m happy with that."