Watford to monitor Murray's fitness (From St Albans & Harpenden Review)

Watford to monitor the fitness of highly-rated midfielder Sean Murray ahead of Barnsley clash

8:40am Friday 3rd February 2012 in Herts' Headlines

Watford to monitor the fitness of highly-rated midfielder Sean Murray ahead of Barnsley clash

Watford will monitor the fitness of Sean Murray ahead of Saturday's clash with Barnsley after the second-year scholar started twice in five days in the last week.

Murray had not made a single appearance this season before starting in the FA Cup tie with Tottenham, Hotspur and he then started again five days later at Millwall.

The 18-year-old is still an apprentice and Dyche says the youngster will be assessed ahead of the game with Barnsley.

Dyche said: “Sean has fared quite well all things considered. He played 65 minutes against Spurs and there was a lot of other factors in that tiredness as well as the physical tiredness, such as the emotional drain because it is on TV and against a big club for example.

“Tuesday night was less pressure in terms of outside influences so he fared better but we will monitor him wisely ahead of Saturday, as we do with all young players.”

Jonathan Hogg has been struggling with a knee ligament injury in recent weeks but the midfielder has not suffered any knock-on effects after playing the full 90 minutes on Tuesday night.

Dyche said: “His knee has settled down nicely so we expect him to be fit and available for Saturday.”

Yesterday (Thursday), the Watford manager said he had a fully fit squad, apart from long-term absentees Martin Taylor and Stephen McGinn.

Dyche said: “Taylor and McGinn are the only two definitely out at the moment, all the rest are the usual bumps and bruises.

“We have one training session obviously but we are all fit and well at the moment.”

Watford are facing a Barnsley team which has changed considerably in recent weeks.

Former Watford midfielder Danny Drinkwater has left to join Leicester City in a £1m move and striker Ricardo Vaz Te joined West Ham United.

The Tykes have strengthened during the transfer window though, making five signings.

Striker Chris Dagnall has joined from Scunthorpe United, creative midfielder Michael Tonge arrived on loan from Stoke City, as has Norwich City midfielder Korey Smith and Exeter City left back Scott Golbourne has also signed.

New signing Stephen Dawson, bought from Leyton Orient, won't play as he is still injured.

Skipper Jacob Butterfield is also out with a cruciate injury, as are defender Jay McEveley and Jim O’Brien.