Troy Deeney fit to start for Watford against Swansea, says Walter Mazzarri

Watford boss Walter Mazzarri will have Troy Deeney available to start for tomorrow's Premier League game against Swansea.

Speaking to the media ahead of hosting the Swans at Vicarage Road, the Italian defended his decision not to start his skipper at White Hart Lane last weekend.

Deeney was said to be "very fatigued" prior to the Hornets' outing against title-chasing Tottenham, and Mazzarri insisted he was left out for tactical reasons.

"Troy is okay and is available (against Swansea)," he said. "Before the Sunderland game he had a problem and couldn't train for eight days.

"Against Tottenham, we needed more help in the defensive phase and Okaka was more fresh. It doesn't mean Troy wasn't in a good physical condition.

"I took many things into my decision: the work, the recovery - all the things a manager takes into consideration."

Deeney is said to have been left less than impressed by the decision but Mazzarri said that he doesn't mind his players' disappointment when they are left out of the starting line-up.

"I know all the players that don't play are not happy. This is normal," he said.

"The fact they are not happy means they are keen to play and that they are very professional. I am sure it was the same for Okaka against West Brom when he did not play."

Despite being in 10th place and nine points clear of the last relegation spot currently occupied by tomorrow's guests Swansea, Mazzarri refuses to consider Watford safe just yet.

"No, not until the numbers say we are safe," he said. "I hope to achieve this objective as soon as possible.

"I tell my players to fight every game like it is a cup final. In the Premier League all matches are tough. Swansea won against Liverpool, they beat Leicester and won away at Crystal Palace, so this shows how hard it will be. But we will try to give our best as always."

Watford head into the weekend struggling for defenders, as Miguel Britos will be serving his final match ban and Younes Kaboul will miss out through injury.

Fellow centre-back Sebastian Prodl could also be sidelined through rib injury, while Valon Behrami and Ben Watson could also be major absentees.

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