HORNETS HAMSTRUNG!

The midfielder suffered the injury against Liverpool in January and had been due to play his first game back from the injury for Watford in the reserve team on the same night but he could now face Hungary in Budapest.

The Socceroos have called him up for the friendly and, should he not report for duty, they could invoke the five-day rule to prevent him playing for Watford, if fit, in the crucial Premiership clash with Chelsea, a rule which they used to prevent Harry Kewell playing for Leeds last November.

"Richard desperately wants to play," said Taylor. "But the reality is that he hasn`t taken part in any football for five weeks. It`s better that he stays here and carries on recovering from the injury."

Taylor will also see defender Robert Page travel to face Qatar with the Wales squad, another decision which has displeased the manager.

"It means an eight-hour flight and a three-hour time difference," he continued. "I`ve always wanted people to play international football, but I do wonder who thinks a trip like that is ideal for players."

David Allen