Watford have named a first-team heavy line-up for today's Under-23 game with QPR at London Colney, with Stefano Okaka given a rare appearance.

The Italian striker, who has not featured for the Hornets since the opening day of the season, has only been given gametime in a behind-closed-doors friendly with Millwall earlier this month since then.

He is joined by Mauro Zarate, who continues his long-term recovery from a cruciate ligament injury, and started the Under-23s' 4-2 win over Burnley a fortnight ago.

Miguel Britos will line up in the back four as he returns to selection on the back of a three-game suspension he incurred for a two-footed lunge on Brighton's Anthony Knockeart in August.

Will Hughes is another to feature, having been restricted to a solitary Carabao Cup appearance for the Hornets so far, in a start he would not have hoped for following his summer move from Derby County.

Jerome Sinclair, who was close to a deadline day move to Sheffield United before its collapse sparked a war of words with manager Chris Wilder, will line-up in an attacking three behind Sinclair.

Kick-off at London Colney is at 2pm.

Watford Under-23s: Bachmann; Eleftheriou, Mukena, Britos, Sesay; Charles, Hughes; Sinclair, Zarate, Pereira; Okaka.