Tom Cleverley has confirmed that two key Watford defensive players will be available when Championship action returns next week.
The Hornets have had a tough time with knocks for many of their backline, leaving their options stretched thin in their most recent matches. Angelo Ogbonna was brought in as a free transfer late on in the summer window, and the Italian international has already appearances in each of the club’s last four games.
Former Wigan Athletic midfielder Cleverley did reveal that two players, Jeremy Ngakia and Daniel Bachmann, will be ready in time for their first game back in Championship action next Saturday at lunchtime against Luton Town. Both players were out with hip injuries, with the goalkeeper taken out of action during the 4-1 loss to Norwich City.
Speaking to the Watford Observer, the 35-year-old boss said: “Ngakia has returned well and in a very good condition, and he gives us an option on either side.”
“You’ve seen England playing Trippier on the opposite side during the Euros. Our wing-backs are doing fantastic in an attacking sense, but I’ve openly demanded more from them in the defensive aspect.
“Jeremy is a great option to have on both sides, right and left. We all know he’s been very unlucky with his injury record, and we have to manage him while he has to manage himself.”
“I think it’s important players feel ready when they’re coming back, especially as he’s facing Luton Town, Leeds United, Blackburn Rovers, so we’ll possibly use the Under-21 games to get him time on the pitch.
“Bachmann is fit to play now and he’s not been out as long as Jeremy, so we wouldn’t put him into an Under-21 game.”
The injury to the Austrian international saw deputy keeper Jonathan Bond thrust into the limelight, playing every minute since. He put in admirable performances to secure wins against Sunderland and Middlesbrough but did struggle in the loss to Preston North End.
Ngakia meanwhile has only played twice this season in the opening fixtures against Millwall and Stoke City. He was substituted at halftime at Vicarage Road, with academy graduate Ryan Andrews deputising on the right-hand side since.
Cleverley also provided updates on fellow defenders Francisco Sierralta and Kevin Keben, with the latter yet to make his Watford debut since joining from Toulouse in the summer. He expects that Chilean international Sierralta is “not quite ready”, with Keben still a month away from returning.
Writer’s View
It will be a welcome sight to see a couple of faces back in the team for Watford but the returning Jeremy Ngakia and Daniel Bachmann are not really in positions that the club need depth in. Whilst obviously having your first-choice keeper back in action is positive, Jonathan Bond was doing a solid job and Ryan Andrews has been brilliant across the season so far. Centre-back is the main area of concern right now and should they lose another player there could be a switch in formation on the cards.
Watford do have some fierce opponents in the next week as Tom Cleverley highlighted, with local rivals Luton Town as their next opponents. The Hatters have been in a rut so far this season and the pressure is mounting on former Hornets boss Rob Edwards at Kenilworth Road. Watford do look to be favourites going into this match with Luton missing key players such as Carlton Morris and Tahith Chong. After that, they face fellow top-eight sides Leeds United and Blackburn Rovers and if they can navigate that with a decent haul of points then they will be serious play-off contenders this season.
