Watford v Scunthorpe preview

Hornets and Iron clash in the Championship

Last updated: 20th November 2009   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Watford v Scunthorpe preview

Hooper: Set for return

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Ross Jenkins and Jay DeMerit are still missing for Watford ahead of their home clash with Scunthorpe.

Teenage midfielder Jenkins remains sidelined with a back injury while captain and centre-half DeMerit is recovering from eye surgery.

Back-up goalkeeper Richard Lee is the Hornets' only other injury absentee although he is making good progress with his knee problem and could be back next week.

Rookie keeper Jonathan Bond, 16, will be on the bench again as reserve to regular number one Scott Loach, who lines up fresh from keeping two clean sheets for England's U21s over the last week.

Striker Heidar Helguson is back in one piece from international duty with Iceland and is likely to start alongside Danny Graham in attack.

Scunthorpe news

Scunthorpe will welcome back Gary Hooper for the trip to Vicarage Road. Striker Hooper missed the 4-1 defeat at Blackpool a fortnight ago due to illness, but the Iron's joint-leading scorer is back in contention to face the Hornets.

Midfielder Josh Wright also missed out against the Tangerines due to illness, but the former Charlton man is in line for a return to the starting line-up.

Marcus Williams is back in the reckoning after recovering from a leg injury and could replace George Friend at left-back.

Young goalkeeper Josh Lillis will start, as first-choice shot-stopper Joe Murphy serves a one-match ban following his sending off against Ian Holloway's side.

The Iron will be looking to arrest a slide which has seen them drop to 19th in the Championship table after three consecutive defeats.

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