Skip to content
Full Time After Extra Time This is a live match. Extra Time Half Time

Watford vs Southampton. Sky Bet Championship.

Vicarage Road StadiumAttendance16,066.

Watford v Southampton preview

Image: Rodgers: Injury concerns

Watford are waiting on the fitness of three players, while Lloyd James is back from a ban for Southampton.

Hornets wait on trio; James back for Saints

Watford are waiting on the fitness of three players, while Lloyd James is back from suspension for Southampton. Brendan Rodgers' Hornets have climbed to a more secure mid-table position in recent weeks and will be looking to put more pressure on a Saints side battling against relegation and off-field financial difficulties. Midfielder Don Cowie scored in Watford's 2-1 win at Doncaster on Saturday but later came off as a precaution after complaining of a tight thigh. The Scot will be monitored in training and a late decision will be made on his availability, with Jon Harley on standby to take his place if required. On-loan Tottenham youngster Danny Rose replaced Cowie at the Keepmoat Stadium but came off with concussion and is another doubt. Tamas Priskin hobbled off with a recurrence of an ankle injury but is set to be passed fit to continue to lead the line. On-loan striker Grzegorz Rasiak would not be available to face his parent club under the terms of his move but the Pole is sidelined with a groin injury anyway. Goalkeeper Mart Poom (shoulder) and midfielder Gareth Williams (knee) continue their lengthy stays on the sidelines.

Southampton news

Young Saints defender James has missed the last two games after collecting 10 yellow cards this season, but he could come in for Jake Thomson at right-back. Bradley Wright-Phillips is pushing to start after climbing off the bench to score in Saturday's 3-2 defeat by Charlton. Saints are without midfielder Simon Gillett, who is out for the season after damaging knee cartilage, so the experienced Paul Wotton should keep his place. Player-coach Michael Svensson (Achilles), centre-back Wayne Thomas (knee), midfielder Anthony Pulis (foot) and striker Jamie White (ankle) remain long-term absentees.

Around Sky