Walter Mazzarri says his injury-hit squad need to be wary of Burton

Watford boss Walter Mazzarri says his side must not use their injury problems as an excuse for a run of poor results.

The Hornets find themselves in the midst of an injury crisis ahead of Saturday's FA Cup tie at home to Burton and their predicament has been worsened by a fever which has swept the camp this week.

Watford have slipped to 14th in the Premier League after losing four of their last five but Mazzarri says he is not looking for sympathy.

"I'm the number one fan of my players and will always take care of them," said Mazzarri.

"I would like not to speak too much about injuries, because the players who will go on the pitch are ready and we have to provide the mentality that the players will give everything, especially for the fans.

"I don't want this to be seen as an excuse for any result.

"We have some players that have had some fever. I am not sure if it is a virus or something that is going around."

Burton are 21st in the Championship standings but Mazzarri does not think his team will find it easy to progress.

"First of all. we know it will be a difficult game because we know how Championship teams play," he said.

"We saw how difficult it is against lower-level opposition when we faced Gillingham earlier in the season, so we will be ready for what they provide.

"For sure they will give everything they've got tomorrow and will provide us with a difficult test."